Nutritious Pork Japchae for Babies
A Healthy Meal for a 21-Month-Old: Pork Japchae Recipe
A nutritious and delicious side dish lovingly prepared for my 21-month-old child. This recipe is packed with essential nutrients and features soft, flavorful textures that babies will adore.
Main Ingredients- 200g Pork for Japchae (choose a lean cut for babies)
- 2 servings Glass Noodles
Vegetables- 1/4 Onion (finely chopped or thinly julienned)
- 1/4 Green Onion (white part preferred, thinly julienned)
- 1/4 of each Bell Pepper (red, yellow, etc., thinly julienned)
- 1/4 Carrot (thinly julienned)
- 1 King Oyster Mushroom (thinly julienned)
- 1 Shiitake Mushroom (thinly julienned for a fragrant aroma)
- 1/4 Zucchini (thinly julienned)
- 2 tsp Olive Oil (for stir-frying vegetables)
Pork Marinade- 2 tsp Baby Soy Sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 2 tsp Sesame Oil
- 1 tsp Minced Garlic (adjust to baby’s preference)
Noodle Seasoning- 2 tsp Baby Soy Sauce (for seasoning)
- 2 tsp Sesame Oil (for shine and nutty flavor)
- 4 tsp Pear Juice (for natural sweetness and tenderness)
- 1/4 Onion (finely chopped or thinly julienned)
- 1/4 Green Onion (white part preferred, thinly julienned)
- 1/4 of each Bell Pepper (red, yellow, etc., thinly julienned)
- 1/4 Carrot (thinly julienned)
- 1 King Oyster Mushroom (thinly julienned)
- 1 Shiitake Mushroom (thinly julienned for a fragrant aroma)
- 1/4 Zucchini (thinly julienned)
- 2 tsp Olive Oil (for stir-frying vegetables)
Pork Marinade- 2 tsp Baby Soy Sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 2 tsp Sesame Oil
- 1 tsp Minced Garlic (adjust to baby’s preference)
Noodle Seasoning- 2 tsp Baby Soy Sauce (for seasoning)
- 2 tsp Sesame Oil (for shine and nutty flavor)
- 4 tsp Pear Juice (for natural sweetness and tenderness)
- 2 tsp Baby Soy Sauce (for seasoning)
- 2 tsp Sesame Oil (for shine and nutty flavor)
- 4 tsp Pear Juice (for natural sweetness and tenderness)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash and prepare all ingredients thoroughly. Julienne the vegetables into thin, bite-sized pieces suitable for your baby. For harder vegetables, slice them even thinner to ensure they are tender when cooked.
Step 2
In a large pot, bring plenty of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the glass noodles and cook for about 10-12 minutes. Check periodically to ensure they are cooked through but not mushy.
Step 3
While the noodles are cooking, let’s get the other ingredients ready.
Step 4
In a bowl, combine the pork for japchae with 1 tsp minced garlic, 2 tsp baby soy sauce, and 2 tsp sesame oil. Gently mix to marinate the pork. Remember to keep the seasoning mild for your baby.
Step 5
Heat 2 tsp of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the julienned onions, carrots, bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms. Stir-fry until the vegetables are slightly softened and tender.
Step 6
Once the vegetables are evenly cooked, transfer them to a plate and set aside. This helps maintain their texture and prevents them from becoming too soft.
Step 7
In the same frying pan, add the marinated pork. Stir-fry over medium-low heat until the pork is fully cooked. Break up any clumps to ensure even cooking.
Step 8
The pork is cooked, and the stir-fried vegetables are ready. We’re almost done assembling this delicious japchae!
Step 9
Drain the cooked glass noodles in a colander. Rinse them briefly under cold water to remove excess starch, then drain thoroughly. Ensuring the noodles are well-drained prevents them from becoming sticky or clumpy.
Step 10
Now, let’s prepare the noodle seasoning. In a lightly heated frying pan over low heat, combine 4 tsp of pear juice and 2 tsp of baby soy sauce. Bring it to a gentle simmer. The natural sweetness from the pear juice will enhance your baby’s appetite.
Step 11
As the seasoning mixture begins to bubble slightly, add the drained glass noodles to the pan. Gently toss them with the sauce until evenly coated.
Step 12
To prevent the noodles from sticking together and to add a lovely sheen, drizzle in 2 tsp of sesame oil. Use chopsticks to gently separate the noodles, ensuring the sauce is well distributed.
Step 13
Once the noodles have absorbed the seasoning, add the cooked pork and stir-fried vegetables back into the pan. Stir-fry everything together over high heat for a short time. Cooking briefly at this stage helps retain the vegetables’ pleasant texture.
Step 14
All the ingredients are now harmoniously combined, resulting in a nutritious and flavorful baby japchae!
Step 15
Serve this finished japchae alongside beef uni-jjajang and fresh fruit (like kiwi) to create a balanced and complete meal for your child.
