Crispy Pork Jeon with Refreshing Lettuce Salad
Crispy Pork Jeon with Refreshing Lettuce Salad
Springtime Defense Against Fine Dust: Pork Jeon and Seasoned Lettuce Salad
With the hazy skies lately, it feels like ages since we last saw a clear blue sky! To combat these dusty spring days, we’re introducing a hearty and flavorful meal: crispy Pork Jeon (Korean-style pan-fried meat patties) served with a vibrant, tangy Lettuce Salad. Made with pork belly, this Jeon is incredibly tender and savory, rivaling beef Jeon. Paired with the sweet, sour, and refreshing lettuce salad, it’s a match made in heaven! Experience the delightful contrast of a crispy exterior and a juicy interior.
Main Ingredients- Pork Belly 400g
- Eggs 2
- Carrot 20g
- Cheongyang Pepper 2
- Sweet Rice Flour 3 Tbsp
- Cooking Oil (for frying)
Pork Marinade- Plum Extract (Maesil Cheong) 1 Tbsp
- Cooking Wine (Mirin, etc.) 1 Tbsp
- Herb Salt (to taste)
Lettuce Salad Ingredients- Lettuce 5 leaves
- Crown Daisy (Ssukgat) 1 handful
- Carrot 20g
Salad Dressing- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 1 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Fish Sauce 0.5 Tbsp
- Vinegar 2 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup) 1 Tbsp
- Brown Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 0.5 Tbsp
- Plum Extract (Maesil Cheong) 1 Tbsp
- Sesame Oil (a drizzle)
- Toasted Sesame Seeds (a sprinkle)
- Plum Extract (Maesil Cheong) 1 Tbsp
- Cooking Wine (Mirin, etc.) 1 Tbsp
- Herb Salt (to taste)
Lettuce Salad Ingredients- Lettuce 5 leaves
- Crown Daisy (Ssukgat) 1 handful
- Carrot 20g
Salad Dressing- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 1 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Fish Sauce 0.5 Tbsp
- Vinegar 2 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup) 1 Tbsp
- Brown Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 0.5 Tbsp
- Plum Extract (Maesil Cheong) 1 Tbsp
- Sesame Oil (a drizzle)
- Toasted Sesame Seeds (a sprinkle)
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 1 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Fish Sauce 0.5 Tbsp
- Vinegar 2 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup) 1 Tbsp
- Brown Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 0.5 Tbsp
- Plum Extract (Maesil Cheong) 1 Tbsp
- Sesame Oil (a drizzle)
- Toasted Sesame Seeds (a sprinkle)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing all your ingredients. Washing and chopping the fresh vegetables first will make the cooking process much smoother.
Step 2
Thinly julienne the carrot for the lettuce salad. Finely mince the remaining carrot and the Cheongyang peppers for the pork jeon. Adjust the amount of chili peppers to your preference for spice.
Step 3
Marinate the pork belly by sprinkling it with plum extract, cooking wine, and a pinch of herb salt. Let it rest for about 10 minutes to tenderize the meat and remove any gamey odor.
Step 4
In a bowl, beat the 2 eggs until well combined. Stir the minced carrot and Cheongyang peppers into the beaten eggs to prepare the egg batter.
Step 5
Sprinkle the marinated pork belly with sweet rice flour. Using sweet rice flour is the secret to achieving a wonderfully crispy and savory Jeon.
Step 6
Lightly coat the pork with the sweet rice flour, ensuring an even, thin layer. Avoid applying too thick a coating, as this can make the Jeon resemble fried tempura.
Step 7
Dip the flour-coated pork into the prepared egg batter, ensuring it’s fully coated. Gently press the meat to help the egg adhere well.
Step 8
Heat a lightly oiled pan over medium-high heat. Place the egg-coated pork slices one by one onto the hot pan. Ensuring the pan is sufficiently hot prevents sticking and promotes even browning.
Step 9
Fry on both sides over medium heat until golden brown and crispy. This will result in a delicious Pork Jeon with a crispy exterior and a tender interior.
Step 10
Now, let’s make the lettuce salad. In a small bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients and mix well to create a flavorful sauce. Making the dressing in advance allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 11
Tear the lettuce leaves into bite-sized pieces. Cut the crown daisy into similar sizes. Avoid cutting the vegetables too finely to maintain a pleasant texture.
Step 12
In a large bowl, combine the torn lettuce, crown daisy, and julienned carrot. Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetables.
Step 13
Gently toss everything together until the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing. This completes your fresh and delicious seasoned lettuce salad. Enjoy this delightful meal with your homemade Pork Jeon!
