Deep-Fried Pork Rolls with Shiso, Served with Rice Balls
Lightly Fried Plums and Green Shiso
Among meats, pork has a cooling effect. It helps your body recover when you’re feeling tired. It’s also effective when you’re mentally exhausted, so why not enjoy this dish when you’re feeling stressed? Perilla is also said to help reduce stress with its aroma, making this a great dish to help you let go and relax. Pickled plums also help relieve fatigue!
(Recipe by: Yame Saheho)
Ingredients: Serves 2
4 thin slices of pork loin
4 shiso leaves
1 umeboshi
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons of flour
1 egg
6 tablespoons of breadcrumbs
Cooking oil, as needed
4 small rice balls
How to Make It
1. Remove the pits from the umeboshi and chop them with a knife. Spread out the pork, sprinkle it lightly with salt and pepper, and top with shiso leaves.
2. Place the mashed ume on the pork from step 1 and roll it up tightly. Coat it in flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs, in that order. Fry in oil heated to 170°C for about 4 minutes.
3. Cut the fried pieces diagonally in half, arrange them on a plate with the rice balls, and you're done.
Grocery List
☆ Pork: Rich in B vitamins, pork is effective for relieving fatigue and preventing summer lethargy. In medicinal cuisine, it is used to treat diabetes and for anti-aging care. Since it nourishes the kidneys—one of the five vital organs—it helps support children’s physical development during their growth phase and boosts stamina in older adults. It contains the essential amino acid tryptophan, which promotes serotonin production and helps maintain emotional stability.
☆Shiso: Green shiso is a variant of red shiso, but the green variety is the one commonly eaten. Since “Ooba” is a registered trademark, the correct term for everyday use is “green shiso.” Its aromatic compounds—such as perillaldehyde, limonene, and pinene—stimulate the appetite and help regulate digestive health. Because it also has antibacterial properties, it is often paired with raw foods to help prevent food poisoning. We highly recommend adding it to your meal when eating sashimi.
