Gingery Pork and Napa Cabbage Rice Bowls
This quick Korean-inspired bowl brings excellent value from sale ground pork and one of the best in-season vegetables for Washington spring: napa cabbage. Savory-sweet pork, gingery cabbage, and steamed rice make a fast stovetop dinner with great crunch and color.
Ingredients
- Dubreton Organic Ground Pork, 16 OZ 1 package 7.10
- Organic Napa Cabbage 1 small head 1.99
- Green Onion 1 bunch 1.39
- Lime 1 0.59
- Serrano Pepper 1 3.99
- carrot 1 medium
- garlic 3 cloves
- fresh ginger 1 tablespoon minced
- soy sauce 3 tablespoons
- brown sugar or honey 1 tablespoon
- toasted sesame oil 2 teaspoons
- neutral oil 1 tablespoon
- rice 1 cup uncooked
- sesame seeds 1 teaspoon optional
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Start the rice first. Rinse 1 cup uncooked rice and cook it on the stove according to package directions so it is ready when the pork and cabbage finish.
- While the rice cooks, prep the vegetables. Thinly slice about half of 1 small head organic napa cabbage, enough for about 6 packed cups. Julienne 1 medium carrot. Thinly slice 1 bunch green onion, separating the white and green parts. Mince 3 garlic cloves, mince 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, and finely slice 1 serrano pepper, removing seeds for less heat if desired. Cut 1 lime into wedges.
- In a small bowl, stir together 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey, 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, and 2 tablespoons water.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon neutral oil. Add the white parts of the green onion, the 3 minced garlic cloves, the 1 tablespoon minced ginger, and the sliced serrano pepper. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the 1 package organic ground pork, 16 ounces. Break it up with a spoon and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until browned and cooked through, letting some edges get caramelized.
- Pour in the soy mixture and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the pork looks glossy and lightly glazed.
- Add the sliced napa cabbage and julienned carrot to the skillet. Toss over high heat for 2 to 4 minutes so the cabbage softens slightly but still keeps some crunch. Taste and add a little salt only if needed.
- Fluff the cooked rice and divide it between two wide bowls. Spoon the pork and cabbage mixture over the rice, making sure each bowl gets plenty of glossy sauce.
- Top with the green parts of the sliced green onion and 1 teaspoon sesame seeds if using. Serve with lime wedges on the side to squeeze over the bowls for a bright finish.
- Plate so the pale green cabbage, orange carrot, and dark glazed pork remain visible in distinct sections rather than fully mixed. If serving wine, pour Riesling or Gamay.
Cook time: 35 minutes
Estimated cost: $13-17
Health notes: About 690 calories per serving. Estimated macros per serving: 32g protein, 27g fat, 77g carbohydrates, 5g fiber. Hearty but still vegetable-forward.
Drink pairing: Try Riesling for a touch of sweetness against the savory glaze, or Gamay for a juicy red that stays fresh with ginger, sesame, and cabbage.