Steamed Chinese Cabbage Roll with Sweet and Spicy Sauce

This steamed Chinese Cabbage Roll will accompany your diet journey. A healthy fulfilling appetizer dish with a sweet and spicy sauce that adds a refreshing and spicy kick to start your day!

Chinese steamed cabbage rolls are pretty, low-carb, and very simple to make. This hearty and healthy dish can be enjoyed as it is or served with rice for a filling lunch or dinner meal.

2024 Resolution

Hi friends! Happy New Year of 2024 (because this is still early January, I think it is still ok even though sorry a little bit late😅) Happy New Year to every one of you who has come up with this little tiny bit recipe blog. Thank you for all of your endless support, suggestions, and corrections. I will keep writing and keep learning to do my best. Wishing you and your family stable happiness, financial freedom, and a state of peace inside and out (hug you virtually)!

Talking about the new year means new resolutions. Are you a resolution and bucket list team or are you a let-it-flow team? Comment down here below.

I’m gonna share my POV here, It’s kinda unpopular opinion, but I think not having a long-list resolution is also a resolution. The same page with a little progress is also progress. My 2023 was memorable for me, I learned a lot. Especially when it comes to health. Sometimes, I underestimated what is healthy until I saw my family member drop, sick and be hospitalized for a few days. It changes me a lot like what a very important and huge thing health is. I hope we all keep healthy and fit throughout this year and many years to come

Regarding that. For today’s recipe, I try to make some healthy-simple and low-carb menus. Let’s make a Steamed Chinese Cabbage Roll with Sweet and Spicy Sauce. This is not new, but this is absolutely one of my diet foods. Veggies and protein in one complete package without frying exessive oil. Shall we?

Ingredients of Steamed Chinese Cabbage Roll

Cabbage Roll

• Chinese Cabbage Leaves; I used medium-large Chinese cabbage leaves or also the same with Napa Cabbage for this recipe. I called it sawi putih. They are easier to manage because of their wide, soft leaves. Chinese cabbage leaves serve as the wholesome wrapper for our rolls, imparting a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a tender texture when steamed. Rich in vitamins A and C, these leaves offer a delightful crunch.
  • What if I don’t have Napa Cabbage? Other cabbage leaves such as Savoy, purple cabbage, cabbage, and Large leafy greens like collard and lettuce are other options.go well to wrap this chicken.
• Chicken Breast; I use chicken breast which is boneless and skinless. However, feel free to also use beef or other types of ground meat that you like.
• Soy Sauce; add a savory umami depth to the filling, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the cabbage rolls
• Sesame Oil; give the sauce a toasted and nutty flavor
• Garlic; brings aromatic warmth to the filling.
• Cornstarch; It helps bind the filling ingredients together, ensuring a cohesive texture for the rolls.
• Salt or to taste and Pepper; salt enhances flavors, while pepper adds a subtle kick

Sweet and Spicy Chili Sauce

• Chilies; including Red Chili, Red Curly Chili, and Cayenne Pepper; These peppers contribute to the creation of the Sweet and Spicy Chili Sauce, offering a delightful heat that complements the savory components. To reduce the heat level, try to reduce the cayenne pepper here.
• Sugar; Balancing the heat, sugar brings a touch of sweetness to the chili sauce
• Garlic; add aromatic flavor
• Rice Vinegar; to add some sour taste. Rice vinegar imparts a gentle acidity, enhancing the depth of flavors in the sweet and spicy sauce.
• Salt; to taste
• Water
• Cornstarch; to thicken sauce

How to Make Steamed Chinese Cabbage Roll

Cabbage Roll

Begin by steaming the Chinese cabbage leaves in a steamer for approximately 10 minutes or until they become wilted and pliable. This process ensures that the leaves are easy to work with when assembling the rolls. Once steamed, set the leaves aside for later use Steam

Then, Using a chopper, grind the boneless, skinless chicken breast along with soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, cornstarch, salt, and pepper until a smooth consistency is achieved. Transfer this flavorful mixture to a bowl, creating a cohesive filling that combines the essence of each ingredient.

Next, we’re gonna shape the cabbage roll. Lay a steamed cabbage leaf on a flat working surface. Place approximately 1 tablespoon of the prepared chicken filling in the center of the cabbage leaf. Carefully roll the leaf over the filling, ensuring a snug and compact roll. Repeat this process until all the cabbage rolls are assembled and neatly tucked.

When everything is finished, now place the cabbage roll on a steamer and steam for 15 minutes.

While waiting for to cabbage roll to steam, now let’s make the sauce. If you already have your favorite sauce you can skip the sauce-making part!

Sweet and Spicy Chili Sauce

In a chopper, combine red chili, red curly chili, cayenne pepper, sugar, minced garlic, rice vinegar, salt, and water. Grind the ingredients until finely chopped, creating the foundation for the sweet and spicy chili sauce. Put all the sweet and spicy chili sauce ingredients except cornstarch into a chopper, then grind until finely chopped.

Then, begin to sautee the sauce, Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium-high heat. Allow the ingredients to meld together, intensifying the flavors.

Next, In a small mixing bowl, combine cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry texture. Add the slurry to the simmering sauce, stirring frequently. Continue to simmer until the sauce reaches the desired thickness. Once thickened, turn off the heat.

Finally, Place the steamed Chinese cabbage roll on a serving plate, then pour the sauce over it. Enjoy! Your steamed Chinese Cabbage Rolls with Sweet and Spicy Chili Sauce are ready to be enjoyed

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Thank you, your supports are so much appreciated 💕

Written by Silni Asfia