Pork Belly and Cabbage Rolls: A Delicious Recipe Starting with Great Rice
Pork Belly and Cabbage Rolls made with Chamdream Rice from Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services – A fantastic combination of savory pork belly and crisp cabbage!
Welcome the first Monday of June with a special dinner recipe: ‘Pork Belly and Cabbage Rolls’! This simple yet nutritious dish is elevated to new heights with ‘Chamdream Rice,’ a premium rice from the Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services. The tender pork belly, crisp cabbage, and flavorful rice create a delightful harmony in every bite, perfectly complemented by two special dipping sauces. Let’s make this nutritious and delicious rice roll together!
Main Ingredients- 2 bowls of Gyeonggi Chamdream Rice (approx. 300g)
- 15 slices of thinly sliced pork belly (approx. 200g)
- 1/6 head of fresh cabbage (approx. 150g)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s introduce the star of our recipe: ‘Gyeonggi Chamdream Rice.’ This 4kg bag offers a generous amount, and while it might look smaller in the photo, it’s quite substantial in reality. This rice is cultivated in the clean environment of Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, blessed with pure water and fertile land, promising excellent taste and quality.
Step 2
This ‘Grade A’ Chamdream Rice, produced in Yangpyeong, embodies the pride of a region nurtured by clean water and rich soil. Grown in a pristine environment, it brings health and deliciousness to our tables.
Step 3
Let’s explore the features of Chamdream Rice. Firstly, it’s grown in soil abundant with organic matter, making it rich in nutrients. Secondly, it’s processed hygienically at an automated rice processing center, ensuring safety and peace of mind. Thirdly, it’s a high-quality rice that perfectly suits our palate with its clean taste.
Step 4
A tip for keeping your rice fresh! Store it in a cool place, away from moisture, direct sunlight, and heat. Especially after opening, refrigerating the rice will help prevent rice weevils and maintain its freshness for longer. Be mindful not to mix it with older rice in your rice container!
Step 5
Just look at the Chamdream Rice! The grains are plump and vibrant, hinting at how delicious the cooked rice will be. This rice promises an exceptional culinary experience.
Step 6
Now, let’s start making the Pork Belly and Cabbage Rolls. The first step is cooking the rice. Gently rinse the Chamdream Rice about 3 times in cold water, then add the appropriate amount of water and cook the rice.
Step 7
As the rice cooks, a wonderful aroma will fill your kitchen. You can use an electric rice cooker or a pot to prepare the delicious rice.
Step 8
Behold the glossy texture of the freshly cooked Chamdream Rice! The generous portion and moist sheen are mouth-watering. This rice alone, served with kimchi, would make a satisfying meal. Now, let’s get started on the Pork Belly and Cabbage Rolls!
Step 9
Before we begin assembling the rolls, let’s quickly review the ingredients you’ll need.
Step 10
First, prepare the cabbage. Remove the hard core from the 1/6 head of cabbage with a knife. Then, carefully separate the leaves one by one.
Step 11
Place the separated cabbage leaves in a bowl and add a little vinegar to cold water. Let them soak for about 10 minutes. Adding vinegar to water when washing vegetables helps to clean them more thoroughly and hygienically, thanks to its sterilizing properties.
Step 12
While the cabbage is soaking, let’s make two special dipping sauces to accompany the rolls. The first is the Doenjang Sauce. Measure out 2 Tbsp Doenjang, 2 Tbsp Maesil Extract for sweetness, and 1 Tbsp sesame oil for a nutty aroma.
Step 13
Combine all three ingredients—Doenjang, Maesil Extract, and sesame oil—in a small bowl.
Step 14
Using a spatula or spoon, mix the ingredients thoroughly until smooth and uniform, ensuring there are no clumps.
Step 15
Finally, sprinkle a pinch of sesame seeds for a nutty finish. It’s incredibly simple! The addition of Maesil Extract adds a subtle sweetness that beautifully balances the savory depth of the Doenjang, creating an alluring sauce.
Step 16
Next, we’ll make the addictive Kimchi Gochujang Sauce. Prepare 2 Tbsp of store-bought Gochujang (mixed with vinegar) and a suitable amount of well-fermented napa cabbage kimchi. You can adjust the amount of kimchi to your preference.
Step 17
Finely chop the napa cabbage kimchi. You can use a knife or scissors for quicker and more uniform chopping. The key is to chop it very finely so it blends well into the sauce.
Step 18
Now, add the finely chopped kimchi to the bowl containing 2 Tbsp of Gochujang.
Step 19
Simply mix the Gochujang and kimchi together with a spoon, and your delicious Kimchi Gochujang Sauce is ready! The spiciness of the Gochujang combined with the crunchy texture of the kimchi makes this a highly addictive side sauce.
Step 20
While we were making the sauces, the cabbage soaking time has finished. Drain the cabbage leaves completely using a colander. The thoroughly washed cabbage leaves look fresh and clean.
Step 21
Now, it’s time to steam the cabbage to make it tender. Fill a steamer with an appropriate amount of water and heat it over high heat until it comes to a rolling boil.
Step 22
Once the water is boiling vigorously, carefully arrange the prepared cabbage leaves in the steamer, laying them flat without overlapping.
Step 23
Cover the steamer with a lid and steam for about 13 minutes. Steaming for this duration ensures the cabbage becomes soft and pliable, making it easier to roll and improving its texture.
Step 24
After 13 minutes, carefully remove the well-steamed cabbage from the steamer and let it cool slightly. Handle it gently once it’s cooled down a bit to prevent tearing.
Step 25
While the cabbage is cooling, let’s grill the pork belly slices. Prepare a flat pan and lay the pork belly slices in a single layer, without overlapping.
Step 26
Cook the pork belly over medium heat, flipping them front and back until they are golden brown and appetizing. The savory smell of grilling pork belly is always a delight!
Step 27
Here are the perfectly browned pork belly slices! It’s tempting to snack on them while cooking, but try to resist for the rolls!
Step 28
Now that all the components are ready, it’s time to assemble the rolls! First, cut the steamed cabbage into pieces similar in thickness to the pork belly slices. Then, place one slice of the cooked pork belly on top of the cabbage.
Step 29
On top of the pork belly, place a portion of cooked rice, formed into a bite-sized ball. It’s important to control the amount of rice so the roll doesn’t burst.
Step 30
Now, carefully roll the cabbage, pork belly, and rice together to form the Pork Belly and Cabbage Roll! To prevent the rice from sticking to your hands while shaping, lightly dampen your hands with water. This makes rolling much easier. Repeat this process to create all the rolls.
Step 31
As we continued rolling, we’ve now completed 15 Pork Belly and Cabbage Rolls using the prepared ingredients. They look so appetizing!
Step 32
The finished rolls resemble blooming flowers! The vibrant green of the fresh cabbage and the savory brown of the pork belly create a visually appealing dish.
Step 33
It’s time to enjoy them with the two sauces we made earlier! We’ve plated them attractively with chopsticks, ready for a delightful meal. All that’s left is to dig in!
Step 34
You can pick up a roll with your chopsticks and dip it generously into the Doenjang Sauce or the Kimchi Gochujang Sauce for a fantastic taste experience. Each sauce will enhance the flavor of the roll.
Step 35
Alternatively, you can place a spoonful of sauce on top of each roll before eating. Enjoying the rice, pork belly, and cabbage all at once is incredibly satisfying. The two different sauces offer a fun variety of flavors!
Step 36
With just cabbage, pork belly, and delicious Chamdream Rice, anyone can easily make these ‘Pork Belly and Cabbage Rolls’! Enjoy a nutritious and delicious meal with these special, flavor-packed rolls!
