Microwave Kimchi Stew with Pork Belly (20 Min)
A Delectable Kimchi Stew with Pork Belly, Ready in 20 Minutes in the Microwave
Experience the rich flavors of aged kimchi stew with tender pork belly, conveniently prepared in the microwave. This recipe features a slightly thickened broth enriched with doenjang (soybean paste) for a deeper, more satisfying taste. It’s a simple yet impressive dish perfect for any occasion.
Main Ingredients- 350g Pork Belly
- 5 Outer leaves of Aged Kimchi
Pork Marinade- 15ml Soy Sauce (1 Tbsp)
- 15ml Cooking Wine (1 Tbsp)
- 0.5ml Salt (approx. a pinch)
- A pinch of Black Pepper
- 7.5ml Minced Garlic (0.5 Tbsp)
- 2.5ml Grated Ginger (0.25 Tbsp)
- 15ml Honey (1 Tbsp)
Broth Seasoning- Remaining marinade from pork
- 100ml Water
- 60ml Kimchi Brine
- 5ml Doenjang (Soybean Paste) (0.5 tsp)
- 15ml Sesame Oil (1 Tbsp)
- 15ml Soy Sauce (1 Tbsp)
- 15ml Cooking Wine (1 Tbsp)
- 0.5ml Salt (approx. a pinch)
- A pinch of Black Pepper
- 7.5ml Minced Garlic (0.5 Tbsp)
- 2.5ml Grated Ginger (0.25 Tbsp)
- 15ml Honey (1 Tbsp)
Broth Seasoning- Remaining marinade from pork
- 100ml Water
- 60ml Kimchi Brine
- 5ml Doenjang (Soybean Paste) (0.5 tsp)
- 15ml Sesame Oil (1 Tbsp)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing 350g of pork belly. In a bowl, combine the pork belly with all the ingredients listed for the ‘Pork Marinade’: soy sauce, cooking wine, salt, pepper, minced garlic, grated ginger, and honey. Massage the marinade into the pork belly to ensure it’s evenly coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate and tenderize the meat.
Step 2
For the aged kimchi, it’s best to separate the leaves and cut them into manageable pieces. Since we’ll be rolling the kimchi around the pork, cut the pork belly into approximately 4-5cm pieces, aiming for about 5 pieces. Slice any thick kimchi stems into bite-sized pieces. If you have any leftover pork that doesn’t fit into the rolls, don’t worry; these will be added between the kimchi rolls later. Crucially, do not discard the pork marinade! This flavorful mixture will be the base for our delicious stew broth.
Step 3
Now, let’s roll the kimchi around the pork. Take one sheet of aged kimchi and place a 4-5cm piece of marinated pork belly on it. Roll the kimchi tightly around the pork to create a neat roll. The combination of the tangy kimchi and the savory pork will create a fantastic flavor profile.
Step 4
If you have any remaining pork pieces after rolling the kimchi, tuck these extra pieces into the gaps between the kimchi rolls in your cooking dish. This ensures that the pork flavor is distributed throughout the stew, adding more richness and texture.
Step 5
Time to create the flavorful broth for the stew. In a microwave-safe dish or pot, pour in all the remaining pork marinade. Add the ‘Broth Seasoning’ ingredients: 100ml of water, 60ml of kimchi brine, 5ml of doenjang (soybean paste), and 15ml of sesame oil. Mix these ingredients well. The doenjang adds a wonderful depth and savory complexity that complements the aged kimchi perfectly.
Step 6
Arrange the kimchi-pork rolls and any extra pork pieces in the prepared dish. Pour the flavorful broth evenly over everything. Cover the dish tightly with microwave-safe plastic wrap. Microwave on 500W for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully remove the dish, replace the plastic wrap with fresh wrap (as the used wrap may have lost moisture or could burn), and microwave again on 500W for another 10 minutes. Cooking in two stages with fresh wrap prevents the wrap from burning and ensures even cooking. Total cooking time is 20 minutes.
Step 7
Your delicious microwave kimchi stew is ready! Steam will rise from the dish, indicating it’s hot and ready to eat. Aged kimchi can be quite salty, so taste the broth after cooking. If it’s not salty enough for your preference, add a little more kimchi brine and microwave for an additional minute to adjust the seasoning. The balance of tangy kimchi and savory pork is key.
Step 8
Cut the stew in half to reveal the incredibly tender pork belly. Even though it was cooked in the microwave for just 20 minutes, the pork is moist and fork-tender, perfect for enjoying with the kimchi. It should be soft enough to easily break apart with a fork.
Step 9
Finally, transfer the hot and inviting kimchi stew with pork belly to a serving dish. This dish is not only visually appealing but also incredibly flavorful, making it an excellent choice for everyday meals or when you need to impress guests with minimal effort. Enjoy your delicious homemade kimchi stew!
