Steamed Pork Belly with Crisp Bean Sprouts
[Steamed Bean Sprouts and Pork Belly] A delightful combination of crisp bean sprouts and savory pork belly ~ Perfect for guest dinners!
This is a wonderfully simple yet impressive ‘Steamed Bean Sprouts and Pork Belly’ dish, perfect for any occasion. It’s a ‘no-water’ cooking method, allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine. Even beginners can create a fantastic meal that looks as good as it tastes!
Main Ingredients
- Pork belly slices (thinly sliced) 1kg
- Bean sprouts 1kg
Seasoning
- Minced garlic 3-4 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (Mirin, etc.) 2 Tbsp
- Oyster sauce 2-3 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 3-4 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (Mirin, etc.) 2 Tbsp
- Oyster sauce 2-3 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 1kg of fresh bean sprouts and 1kg of thinly sliced pork belly. Rinse the bean sprouts thoroughly under running water and drain them well in a colander. Ensuring the sprouts are well-drained will help them cook up perfectly tender.
Step 2
Now, get your steaming pot ready. Lay a generous layer of the drained bean sprouts at the bottom of the pot. Arrange the pork belly slices over the sprouts. Sprinkle the minced garlic and cooking wine evenly over the pork belly. You can repeat this layering process 2-3 times to ensure even cooking. Finish by topping with another layer of bean sprouts.
Step 3
Cover the pot tightly with the lid and cook over high heat until steam begins to rise. It’s important to start with high heat to allow the ingredients to release their natural moisture. Once steam is visibly rising (about 5-7 minutes), reduce the heat to medium.
Step 4
Once the pork and bean sprouts are cooked through, stir in 2-3 tablespoons of oyster sauce. Gently toss everything together to distribute the sauce evenly. The oyster sauce adds a wonderful umami depth to the dish.
Step 5
Finally, top the dish with chopped chives, cut into 4-5cm lengths. The fragrant chives add a lovely freshness that balances the richness of the pork. Turn off the heat immediately after adding the chives.
Step 6
Prepare a delicious dipping sauce to accompany the dish. Mix 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp plum extract (or syrup), and 1 Tbsp vinegar for a basic sauce. For extra flavor, add a little bit of wasabi and finely chopped chives (or a diced chili pepper for some heat!), and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
Step 7
Dip the warm, steamed pork belly and bean sprouts into the prepared sauce for an exquisite taste experience! This dish is fantastic as a side for rice or as a savory appetizer.
