Rich and Hearty Pork Back-Bone Stew with Perilla Seeds and Napa Cabbage
How to Make Delicious Pork Back-Bone Stew with Perilla Seeds and Napa Cabbage
Prepare for a truly comforting and flavorful meal with this ‘Pork Back-Bone Stew with Perilla Seeds and Napa Cabbage’. This dish is renowned for its deep, savory broth, tender pork back-bones, and the delightful chewiness of aged napa cabbage (uguji). We start by carefully soaking the pork back-bones to remove excess blood, ensuring a clean and rich broth. Then, they’re simmered until incredibly tender, complemented by the nutty aroma of perilla seeds and the satisfying texture of the napa cabbage. It’s the perfect hearty dish for a chilly day, offering not just delicious food but also the fun of picking meat off the bones. This stew is generous enough to last for several meals, making it a wonderfully satisfying choice. You can customize the nutty flavor by adjusting the amount of perilla seed powder – enjoy a lighter, refreshing taste without it, or a richer, more robust flavor with it. For a dual taste experience, consider setting aside some broth before adding the perilla seeds. The combination of well-cooked napa cabbage and aged kimchi adds another layer of deliciousness. Get ready to create a memorable meal that will have everyone reaching for seconds!
Main Ingredients
- 2kg Pork back-bone
- 500g Boiled Chinese cabbage leaves (uguji)
- 1/4 head Aged kimchi
- 3 Tbsp Fish sauce (anchovy or similar)
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce (for soup)
- 2 Tbsp Doenjang (soybean paste)
- 2 Tbsp Saeujeot (fermented shrimp)
- 2.5L Water
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1/2 stalk Scallion (green onion)
- 2 Cheongyang chili peppers (or other hot peppers)
- 5 Tbsp Perilla seed powder
- Pinch of Black pepper
For Pork Back-Bone Odor Removal & Blanching
- 2L Water
- 1/2 cup Soju (or cooking wine)
- 3 Bay leaves
- 10 cloves Garlic
- 1 knob Ginger (thumb-sized)
- 2L Water
- 1/2 cup Soju (or cooking wine)
- 3 Bay leaves
- 10 cloves Garlic
- 1 knob Ginger (thumb-sized)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by soaking the pork back-bones in cold water for about 1 hour to thoroughly remove any blood. This step is crucial for a clean-tasting broth.
Step 2
During the soaking period, change the water 1 to 2 times to ensure all impurities are rinsed away.
Step 3
Place the blood-rinsed pork back-bones in a pot. Add 2L of water, 1/2 cup of soju, 3 bay leaves, 10 cloves of garlic, and 1 knob of ginger. Bring to a boil over high heat and simmer for about 20 minutes to blanch and remove any gamey odors.
Step 4
After blanching, drain the pork back-bones and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water to wash away any remaining scum or impurities. Set them aside to drain.
Step 5
Transfer the cleaned pork back-bones to the pot you’ll be using to cook the stew.
Step 6
Prepare the napa cabbage leaves (uguji). If using pre-boiled and frozen ones, thaw them. You can also boil fresh napa cabbage or even use rinsed aged kimchi for added flavor. If using aged kimchi, rinse it well and gently squeeze out excess brine before adding.
Step 7
Add the pork back-bones, prepared napa cabbage leaves (uguji), and aged kimchi to the pot. Pour in 2.5L of water. Add all the seasoning ingredients except for the perilla seed powder and black pepper: fish sauce, soy sauce, doenjang, fermented shrimp, gochugaru, and minced garlic. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-high, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 40 to 50 minutes. This long simmering time allows the pork to become tender and the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a rich and deep broth.
Step 8
Finally, stir in the perilla seed powder (5 Tbsp) for a nutty aroma and a pinch of black pepper. This stew can be enjoyed without perilla seed powder for a lighter, cleaner taste, or with it for a richer, more substantial flavor. Feel free to adjust the amount of perilla seed powder to your liking. Alternatively, you can ladle out some broth before adding the perilla seeds to enjoy both flavor profiles! Your delicious pork back-bone stew is now ready to serve!