Spring Onion Pork Chop is our JAM RECIPE of the day. Jam in a savory dish?! Yes...when it enhances the dish. This dish is pretty quick to cook as long as you marinate your choice of meat (can be substituted with chicken/beef/turkey) in advance, preferably overnight.

Recipe by Mama Ding

Total Time | 40 mins + overnight marination

Prep Time | 10 mins + overnight marination

Cook Time | 30 mins

Servings : 4 - 6

Ingredients

1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) pork/chicken/beef chops
185 ml (3/4 cup) light soy sauce
185 g (3/4 cup) light brown sugar
60 ml (1/4 cup) honey
60 ml (1/4 cup) sesame oil
2 tbsp mirin
120 g (1/2 cup) apple/pear jam
2 tsp ginger, peeled
2 tbsp garlic, peeled
1 1/2 tsp freshly ground white pepper
1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds plus more for garnish
6 stalks spring onions/scallions, coarsely chopped the bottom half for the marinade, plus thinly sliced the top half for garnish

Method

01 In a blender, combine soy sauce, sugar, honey, sesame oil, mirin, jam, ginger, garlic and pepper. Process on high speed until well-blended.

02 Put the meat in a large resealable bag. Pour in the marinade then add sesame seeds and chopped spring onions.

03 Seal bag, shake gently then refrigerate for 8-24 hours. Take the marinated meat out from the refrigerator 30 mins before cooking.

04 When ready to cook, pour the meat and marinade into a pressure cooker. Cook at high pressure for 6 mins.

05 When done, let steam release and set aside.

06 Meanwhile, preheat the broiler. Carefully remove cooked meat from the pressure cooker and transfer to an aluminium foil-lined pan. Place under broiler at 180 C/350 F until meat begins to caramelize and brown, about 5 mins.

07 Meanwhile in a wok/pan, heat the remaining marinade until reduced by one quarter to form a thick sauce, about 10 mins. Stir constantly to prevent burning.

08 To serve, arrange meat on some rice. Top with the sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced spring onions. The meat can also be served on its own without rice.

Notes

Cooking time is shortened if using a pressure cooker. If you do not have a pressure cooker, you may also use a pot and cook on the stove on medium heat for 20 - 30 mins. I used an air fryer instead of a broiler to caramelize the meat. Air fry at 160 C for 2 - 3 mins.

Mirin can be substituted with any cooking wine. If you don’t take alcohol, replace with ginger juice.

Apple/Pear Jam can be substituted with peeled and cored blended apple/pear. You will need to add extra 2 tbsp honey if using blended apple/pear.