jessiefoodinthekitchen

Some dishes don’t need fancy ingredients to feel special. This steamed pork ribs with pumpkin is one of them. It’s the kind of dish that quietly sits on the table, but always gets finished—soft, tender pork ribs, and sweet pumpkin soaking up all the savory juices. But if you’ve made this before, you might know the struggle. By the time the ribs are tender, the pumpkin has already turned too soft… almost mashy. So over time, I started doing it a little differently. Instead of steaming everything together from the start, I steam the pork ribs halfway first, then transfer them onto a fresh plate lined with pumpkin chunks. This way, the pumpkin absorbs all the delicious juices while keeping its shape and texture. The result is tender, juicy pork ribs sitting on perfectly cooked pumpkin that is soft yet still holds its shape. Each bite carries the natural sweetness of the pumpkin along with the rich, savory sauce from the ribs.It’s a simple dish, but with a small technique tweak, it...

Some of the most comforting dishes are also the simplest ones. This Steamed Ground Pork with preserved turnip ( 大头菜蒸肉碎 ) is a humble home-style dish that is paired perfectly with a bowl of hot steamed rice. Preserved turnip brings a salty, slightly sweet crunch that complements the tender minced pork beautifully. When steamed together, the pork absorbs the savory flavors of the preserved turnip, creating a dish that is incredibly fragrant and satisfying. What is Preserved Turnip? Preserved turnip, known as 大头菜 (Da Tou Cai) in Chinese. A salted and fermented turnip root with a savor, slightly sweet and salty taste. It has a firm, crunchy texture when chopped and is often used in dishes like steamed minced pork. Don’t confuse it with pickled mustard greens , which are made from leafy vegetables and have a softer texture and a more sour flavor. This is one of those dishes that many of us grew up eating at home. It doesn’t require complicated ingredients or cooking techniques, just ...

There is something deeply comforting about these slow-braised dishes. This Gula Melaka’s braised pork belly with mushrooms and dry bean curd sticks (tofu skin) has an infused sauce that brings together traditional flavors with a touch of sweetness and nostalgia. This recipe reminds me of the classis home-style braised pork my family used to make, but I wanted to give it a local twist. Instead of using plain sugar or rock sugar, I turned to Gula Melaka (palm sugar). Its deep caramel notes add warmth and complexity, balancing the savory soy base beautifully. I am using the block type Gula Melaka. You can use the granulated Gula Melaka too. If you are using the block type, make sure to cut into small pieces, so that   it melts easily. This dish strikes the perfect balance between sweet and savory, traditional and modern. The Gula Melaka gives it a uniquely Malaysian touch that turning the ordinary braise into something truly remarkable.   INGREDIENTS 500g pork belly, ...

  Grilling char Siu is time-consuming? Yes, indeed!! The marinating and cooking steps involved in grilling char Siu might take a lot of time.   In order to allow the flavors to seep into the meat, the traditional process involves marinating the pork for a few hours, often overnight.   Additionally, grilling might take some time, particularly if you want that distinctive char. And also create a crispy surface and smoky flavor. You might say can make char siu, or Chinese BBQ pork with oven baking, or air frying. Oven baking produces an excellent crust and a balance of juiciness. Air fryer is the quickest way to produce a crispy outside and a soft within, although it might not cook as uniformly as oven baking. Today I am sharing a super easy stove top version. You even get a lovely sauce to go with it, and the results are just incredible. It lacks charred or roasted flavor of charcoal because it is cooked entirely on the hob.   Trust me, this method is definitely ...

Spare Rib King or Pai Gu Wang ( 排骨王 ) are popular among the public. This dish will always show on the menu whenever you look at the menu.   That’s definitely due to its unique taste and flavor. I still remember the first time I have this Pai Gu Wang in a restaurant, I thought to myself like why it is called Pai Gu Wang where there are actually no ribs in it. In fact, pork tenderloin is always used for making this dish. This meat is taken from the sides of the large ribs of the pig, and the bones are removed when it is sold, so that’s how the name of this dish is created. Anyway, boneless design makes it very convenient to eat pork ribs. You don't need to spit out the bones, you can enjoy it directly. It is especially suitable for people who are not good at spitting out bones or don't like spitting out bones. Tenderloin contains tendons, it is difficult to chew. Therefore, the meat must be loosened before cooking to break the tendons inside. This will make it taste better ...

Dong Po Rou （东坡肉） – wine braised pork belly. It’s rich and savoury, tender that melts into your mouth. Traditionally, the pork belly is pan-fried before being braised or stewed for one to one and a half hours on low heat. Some of the recipes even call for steaming for an additional half an hour after stewing. It is very time-consuming. But as you are aware, I enjoy making recipes simpler without compromising the taste. You, too, I'm sure. Therefore, I skipped the pan-frying step and proceeded directly to braising the pork after blanching it, and then continued to cook with a pressure cooker. Don't worry; the dish's flavour remains unaffected. I'm hoping this simplified method may come in handy for your regular cooking. Trim off the edges of the pork and cut it into 3x3 cubes. Tie cooking twine around each cube. This will assist the cubes in keeping their form while cooking. If the pork that you bought is at the mid portion of the belly is ideal, there is a nice bala...

There was once I went to a bookstore and found this "The Hakka Cookbook" by accident. This book's subtitle is "Chinese Soul Food Around the World". According to the text, Hakka food exhibits the Hakka people's economical, not luxurious, and generous hospitality. Hakka cuisine has many health benefits because the Hakka people are dedicated to their pursuit of methods of preserving health and are skilled in utilizing the scientific principles concealed in nature. Hakka food has currently established itself as a representation of Cantonese cuisine. The two primary specialties are Hakka-stuffed tofu and salt-baked chicken. This meal is available at restaurants and is highly well-liked. Braised Pork Belly with Black Fungus is one of the dishes from this book that I have come across. Although the black fungus does not have a pleasing appearance, it is incredibly nutrient-rich. A daily intake of 5 to 10 grams of black fungus can support cardiovascular heal...