Christmas Island Ogu Ruloung

Ingredients

In the original Chinese version of Ogu Ruloung, the dish is typically made with pork belly and seasoned with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. However, in this Christmas Island adaptation, we incorporate the use of pandan leaves, which are a staple in Christmas Island cuisine. The pandan leaves add a unique flavor and aroma to the dish, giving it a distinct Christmas Island twist. We alse have the original recipe for Ogu ruloung, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) pork belly, thinly sliced 500g (1.1 lb) pork belly, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 10-12 pandan leaves, washed and dried 10-12 pandan leaves, washed and dried

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 24g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 4g, 2g
• Protein: 22g
• Fiber: 0g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, and brown sugar. Mix well to create the marinade.
2. 2.
   Add the sliced pork belly to the marinade and toss to coat the meat evenly. Allow the pork to marinate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for maximum flavor.
3. 3.
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. 4.
   Take a piece of marinated pork and wrap it tightly in a pandan leaf, securing it with a toothpick if needed. Repeat with the remaining pork slices and pandan leaves.
5. 5.
   Place the wrapped pork parcels on the preheated grill and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the pork is cooked through and the pandan leaves are slightly charred.
6. 6.
   Remove the toothpicks before serving.
7. 7.
   Serve the Christmas Island Ogu Ruloung hot as an appetizer or as part of a main course. Enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pandan leaves — Make sure to wash and dry the pandan leaves thoroughly before using them. The leaves can be a bit tough, so gently flatten them with a rolling pin to make them more pliable for wrapping the pork.

Tips & Tricks

• If you can't find pandan leaves, you can substitute with banana leaves or even aluminum foil for wrapping the pork.
• For an extra burst of flavor, you can add a squeeze of lime juice over the cooked Ogu Ruloung before serving.
• If grilling is not an option, you can also cook the wrapped pork parcels in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 15-20 minutes.

Serving advice

Serve the Christmas Island Ogu Ruloung as an appetizer with a side of sweet chili sauce for dipping. Alternatively, you can serve it as part of a main course with steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables.

Presentation advice

Arrange the grilled Ogu Ruloung neatly on a platter, garnished with fresh herbs such as cilantro or mint leaves. The vibrant green color of the pandan leaves will add a pop of color to the dish, making it visually appealing.