Nikumaki with Shiso and Cheese is a delightful Japanese dish that combines pork, shiso leaves, and cheese in an exquisite harmony. It's popular in Japan, but unfortunately, it's not widely known outside of Japan. If you find it delicious, please share this recipe with your friends!
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What is Nikumaki with Shiso and Cheese?
Nikumaki with Shiso and Cheese is a dish made by wrapping pork around shiso leaves and cheese, and then cooking it. Niku means meat, and maki refers to rolling or wrapping. The meat used in this dish is thinly sliced pork. You can also include vegetables cut into sticks in this dish.
In Japan, Nikumaki is often seasoned with teriyaki sauce. However, for this dish, only salt and ground black pepper are used as seasonings. By not adding any other seasoning, you can enjoy the flavors of shiso leaves and cheese more.
About Shiso leaves
Shiso leaves, a unique Japanese ingredient used in this dish, are a type of Japanese herb. You should be able to find this herb, which is popular and available year-round in Japan, at Asian markets or online stores.
Because of their aroma, they are often used as a condiment and are also rich in nutritional value. If you happen to have any leftover shiso leaves, you can use them as a topping for salads. So, if you've never tried them before, I encourage you to take this opportunity.
Incorporating Vegetables
When adding vegetables to this dish, it is common to use slightly firm-textured vegetables such as asparagus, carrots, potatoes, and green beans. By incorporating them, you can achieve vibrant colors and derive nutritional benefits. Feel free to give it a try according to your preference.
Ingredients
- 8 (5.7oz./160g) thinly sliced pork loin
- - pinch of salt (for pork)
- - pinch of ground black pepper (for pork)
- - 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour (plain flour) or starch (for pork)
- 4 leaves shiso
- 2 slices cheese
- 1 Tbsp sake
Step-by-step instructions
🕒 Total 12 mins
Step 1
Trim the stems of the shiso leaves. Cut the slices of cheese in half.
Step 2
Arrange the pork slices in slightly overlapping pairs, then sprinkle salt, black pepper, and flour (or starch) on top.
Step 3
Place the shiso leaf and cheese on each pair of pork slices, and roll them up from one end.
Step 4
Heat oil in a pan. Once the pan is hot, put the pork-wrapped shiso and cheese in the pan, with the wrapped end facing downward, and sauté them over medium heat. When they have browned, flip them over and cook on all sides.
Step 5
Add sake to the pan, then cover and steam for 2 minutes.
Step 6
Remove the pork-wrapped shiso and cheese from the pan, and cut it into diagonal pieces according to your preference.
To Store
You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Tips on how to make
- If you are using a type of cheese other than sliced cheese, cut it into appropriate pieces before using it. Softer cheese is more suitable for this dish.
- While flour (or starch) is not essential, it helps the ingredients stick to the pork, making it less likely for the dish to lose its shape.
- When adding vegetables, cut them into sticks and place them on top of the shiso leaves in Step 3.
Recipe Card
Nikumaki with Shiso and Cheese (Pork-Wrapped)
Ingredients
- 8 (5.7oz./160g) thinly sliced pork loin
- - pinch of salt (for pork)
- - pinch of ground black pepper (for pork)
- - 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour (plain flour) or starch (for pork)
- 4 leaves shiso
- 2 slices cheese
- 1 Tbsp sake
Instructions
- Trim the stems of the shiso leaves. Cut the cheese slices in half.
- Arrange the pork slices in slightly overlapping pairs, then sprinkle salt, black pepper, and flour (or starch) on top.
- Place the shiso leaf and cheese on each pair of pork slices, and roll them up from one end.
- Heat oil in a pan. Once the pan is hot, put the pork-wrapped shiso and cheese in the pan, with the wrapped end facing downward, and sauté them over medium heat. When they have browned, flip them over and cook on all sides.
- Add sake to the pan, then cover and steam for 2 minutes.
- Remove the pork-wrapped shiso and cheese from the pan, and cut it into diagonal pieces according to your preference.
Notes
- You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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