Lotus Root Pork Belly Bites A Simple Savory Supper

Get ready to embark on a delightful culinary adventure with a dish that promises to charm your taste buds and impress your dinner guests, all without breaking a sweat! This recipe, known for its elegant simplicity and heartwarming flavors, brings together tender lotus root and succulent ground pork in a harmony that is both comforting and exotic. With a cooking time of just around an hour and a difficulty level that’s incredibly beginner-friendly, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can create something so profoundly delicious. The technique, a gentle braise, allows the natural flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in a savory, umami-rich experience that’s surprisingly mellow and deeply satisfying. It’s a wonderful way to explore new ingredients and flavors without intimidation. Let’s gather our tasty components! Here’s what you’ll need: For the Core: Lotus Root: An amount that feels right for your meal – perhaps 1-2 medium-sized roots. This is the star, offering a wonderful, slightly crunchy texture and subtle sweetness. You can usually find fresh lotus root in Asian grocery stores. If fresh isn’t available, you might find frozen sliced lotus root, which works well too after thawing. Pork Shoulder (or Pork Belly): About 1 pound (approximately 450g) of ground pork. Pork shoulder (or “front leg pork” as it’s sometimes called) is ideal for its balanced fat content, making the filling juicy. If you can’t find shoulder, regular ground pork (ideally 80/20 or 70/30 lean-to-fat ratio) is a perfect substitute. For the Flavor Boosters: Scallions (Green Onions): A small bunch, finely chopped. These add a fresh, aromatic kick. Peanut Oil: Enough for frying, about 2-3 tablespoons. Any neutral cooking oil like vegetable or canola oil will work just as well. Cornstarch: 2-3 tablespoons, divided. This acts as a binder for the meat and helps create a lovely golden…