Chinese Cabbage Recipes 1: Chinese Cabbage Mille-Feuille

Chinese Cabbage Mille-Feuille: A Simple and Comforting Winter Delicacy

Celebrity chef Kazuo Tobita , who lives with her husband on a hill overlooking Sagami Bay, is known for her simple dishes that showcase seasonal ingredients. This Chinese cabbage mille-feuille , with its refined simplicity, reveals the full flavor potential of tender cabbage and juicy pork. A must-try recipe to warm up your winter evenings.

Ingredients (for 2 to 3 people)

• Chinese cabbage: large leaves (7-8 cm), about 800-900 g
• Thinly sliced ​​pork belly (for shabu-shabu): sufficient quantity
• Chopped ginger: 4 pieces (approx. 40 g)
• Finely chopped chives: to taste

For the sauce

• Ground white sesame: 2 tablespoons
• Vinegar: 4 tablespoons
• Soy sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Citrus juice (sudachi, lemon, etc.): to taste
• Salt, sake, sesame oil: suitable quantity

Preparation

1. Assemble the mille-feuille
   Cut the pork belly slices into 4-5 cm pieces. Alternate layers of Chinese cabbage and pork, overlapping them closely. Arrange them vertically in a casserole dish (diameter 24 cm), cut side up. Fill the casserole dish evenly.

2. Cooking
   Add 60 ml sake, 1 teaspoon salt and 60 ml sesame oil. Sprinkle the chopped ginger on top. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, until the cabbage is tender and infused with flavor.

3. Finishing and tasting
   Sprinkle with finely chopped spring onions once cooked. Mix the sauce ingredients and serve separately, accompanied by a drizzle of citrus juice to taste. The natural sweetness of the cabbage and the richness of the pork pair perfectly with this slightly tangy sauce.

Practical advice

• Adjust the width of the cabbage leaves according to the depth of your pan for a stable arrangement.
• Cooking time may vary depending on the humidity of the vegetables.

This dish, both simple and elegant, is a hymn to the sweetness of winter. The irresistible aroma of stewed cabbage and the harmony of flavors make it an ideal choice for sharing a warm moment with family or friends.