Pork Belly Stir-fry with Garlic Scapes and Soy Sauce
Weekend Family Fun: Delicious Soy Sauce Pork Belly Stir-fry with Garlic Scapes (Perfect as a Side Dish or Appetizer!)
Hello everyone! Today, I’m excited to share a recipe for ‘Pork Belly Stir-fry with Garlic Scapes and Soy Sauce’ that the whole family can enjoy on the weekend, especially with kids. It’s simple to make, incredibly flavorful, and works wonderfully as both a side dish for rice and a fantastic appetizer or drinking snack. The addition of garlic and garlic scapes elevates the flavor to a whole new level!
Main Ingredients- 600g thinly sliced pork belly (daepae samgyeopsal)
- 1/2 medium onion
- 6-7 cloves garlic
- 2 stalks garlic scapes
- 1/4 zucchini
Soy Sauce Marinade- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp commercial beef rib sauce (or add 1/2 Tbsp more soy sauce)
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp commercial beef rib sauce (or add 1/2 Tbsp more soy sauce)
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thinly slice the garlic cloves. Garlic scapes, like garlic itself, are packed with nutrients and flavor, which will greatly enhance the dish.
Step 2
Julienne the zucchini into bite-sized pieces. You can get creative with the shapes to make it more appealing for children.
Step 3
Thinly slice the whole garlic cloves. (This may seem repetitive from step 0, but we’re ensuring clarity.)
Step 4
Julienne the onion into thick strips, similar to how you cut the zucchini. This thickness ensures a pleasant texture when cooked.
Step 5
In a small bowl, combine all the soy sauce marinade ingredients: soy sauce, minced garlic, mirin, plum extract, commercial beef rib sauce, and black pepper. Mix well. Having the marinade ready beforehand makes the cooking process smoother.
Step 6
Heat a wide frying pan or wok over high heat until very hot. A properly heated pan is key to developing the best flavors from your ingredients.
Step 7
Once the pan is smoking hot, add the sliced garlic first. Stir-fry for about 1 minute until it starts to brown slightly, almost appearing ‘burnt’. This step is crucial for infusing the oil with a deep garlic flavor and a ‘wok hei’ or smoky essence.
Step 8
You’ll see the garlic turning a lovely brown – this is intentional! Now, add the sliced onion, garlic scapes, and zucchini to the pan. Continue to stir-fry over high heat. Keep the heat high and stir-fry quickly to maintain the vegetables’ crispness.
Step 9
Once the vegetables have softened slightly, add the thinly sliced pork belly. Pour in the prepared soy sauce marinade. Stir everything together well, ensuring the pork belly and vegetables are evenly coated with the sauce. Continue cooking over high heat until the pork is cooked through and the sauce has slightly thickened. This is your cue that it’s almost ready!
Step 10
Finally, turn off the heat. Drizzle in the sesame oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds to finish. The aroma of sesame oil and the crunch of sesame seeds add a perfect final touch to this delicious pork belly stir-fry.
