Fragrant Perilla Leaf Wraps with Spicy-Sweet Minced Meat Paste
Easy-to-Eat Perilla Leaf Wraps with Spicy-Sweet Minced Meat Paste
Introducing fragrant perilla leaf wraps that are both appetizing and satisfying for a meal. The aromatic perilla leaves, savory spicy-sweet minced meat paste, and healthy brown rice create a delightful combination that everyone will love. Enjoy a special meal by easily making these at home.
Wrap Ingredients- 1 bowl of brown rice
- 12 perilla leaves
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Spicy-Sweet Minced Meat Paste Ingredients- 200g minced pork
- 1/4 carrot, finely chopped
- 1/2 onion
- 7 garlic scapes
- 1 chili pepper (e.g., Cheongyang pepper)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (e.g., mirin)
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
- 200g minced pork
- 1/4 carrot, finely chopped
- 1/2 onion
- 7 garlic scapes
- 1 chili pepper (e.g., Cheongyang pepper)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (e.g., mirin)
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables for the spicy-sweet minced meat paste. Wash the garlic scapes thoroughly and finely chop them. Peel and wash the carrot, then dice it very finely. Peel and wash the onion and garlic, then mince them finely. Remove the stems from the chili pepper, wash it under running water, and then finely chop it. Preparing the vegetables in advance will help shorten your cooking time.
Step 2
Heat 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the chopped garlic scapes and minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Then, add the finely diced carrot and stir-fry together until the vegetables release their sweetness.
Step 3
Once the carrots are somewhat cooked, add the minced onion and chili pepper. Stir-fry together until the onion becomes translucent. The moisture released from the onion will help cook the vegetables gently.
Step 4
Now, add the minced pork and begin to cook. Break up any clumps of meat with a chopstick or spatula to ensure even cooking. When the pork is almost cooked, add 1 Tbsp of cooking wine to eliminate any gamey odor, and a pinch of black pepper for added flavor.
Step 5
When the pork and vegetables are fully cooked, add 5 Tbsp of gochujang and stir-fry until it is well combined with all the ingredients. Cook over medium-low heat to bring out the delicious flavor of the gochujang. Making a generous batch is great because this spicy-sweet paste is also delicious when mixed with other vegetable side dishes or fresh kimchi, not just for wraps. Once cooked, remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
Step 6
Prepare the perilla leaves, the star of the wraps. Trim the stems from the perilla leaves and wash them thoroughly under running water. Bring a pot of water to a boil with a pinch of salt. Blanch the perilla leaves for about 10 seconds – be careful not to overcook, as they can become mushy. Immediately rinse them in cold water to stop the cooking process, then pat them dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture is important to prevent the rice from becoming soggy.
Step 7
In a bowl, combine 1 bowl of brown rice with 1 tsp of sesame seeds and 1 tsp of sesame oil. Mix gently to season the rice without mashing the grains. Form the seasoned rice into bite-sized, round rice balls. (Tip: Using a mix of regular rice and glutinous brown rice will result in a chewier and tastier texture.)
Step 8
On a clean cutting board or a large plate with excess moisture removed, lay out one perilla leaf at a time. Place a prepared rice ball onto the center of each perilla leaf.
Step 9
Add your desired amount of the prepared spicy-sweet minced meat paste on top of the rice ball. Then, fold the sides of the perilla leaf inward over the rice, and starting from the bottom, roll it up tightly to create a neat wrap. You can shape them as you like.
Step 10
For a visually appealing presentation, you can also place a perilla leaf on the plate, place the rice ball on top, and then wrap the perilla leaf around it so that a portion of the rice is visible. This way, a bit of the rice color peeks through, making it look even more appetizing.
Step 11
Arrange the finished perilla leaf wraps with spicy-sweet minced meat paste attractively on a serving plate. For the wraps where the rice is visible, add a small dollop of the spicy-sweet paste on top for decoration, making them even more enticing. Enjoy this delightful combination of fragrant perilla leaves and the spicy-sweet gochujang paste as a satisfying meal or a special side dish!
