Lechon and Kimchi: Best Food Pair!

I found a new pair of foods which complement each other. These are Lechon and Kimchi.

Lechon is  the most sought-after food in Philippines, especially in Cebu. Cebu is  famous for their lechon because of the way Cebuanos cooked it. After seasoning, the pig is cooked by skewering the entire animal, entrails removed, on a large stick and cooking it in a pit filled with charcoal. The pig is placed over the charcoal, and the stick or rod it is attached to is turned in a rotisserie action. The pig is roasted on all sides for several hours until done. The process of cooking and basting usually results in making the pork skin crisp and is a distinctive feature of the dish.

For people with high blood pressure, be warned though as this dish contains 242g of calories, 14g total fat and 95mg cholesterol. So just eat in moderation.

So, my wife and I were looking for a side dish that will remove us from that "guilt" after eating this dish. Then, we found Kimchi! It was first introduced to us by a colleague. It was a homemade kimchi. So what is kimchi?

Kimchi is a famous dish in Korea. Koreans eat so much of this super-spicy condiment (40 pounds of it per person each year) that natives say “kimchi” instead of “cheese” when getting their pictures taken. The reddish fermented cabbage (and sometimes radish) dish—made with a mix of garlic, salt, vinegar, chile peppers, and other spices—is served at every meal, either alone or mixed with rice or noodles. And its part of a high-fiber, low-fat diet that has kept obesity at bay in Korea. Kimchi also is used in everything from soups to pancakes, and as a topping on pizza and burgers.

Kimchi (or kimchee) is loaded with vitamins A, B, and C, but its biggest benefit may be in its “healthy bacteria” called lactobacilli, found in fermented foods like kimchi and yogurt. This good bacteria helps with digestion, plus it seems to help stop and even prevent yeast infections, according to a recent study.

And more good news: Some studies show fermented cabbage has compounds that may prevent the growth of cancer.

So, the next time you buy lechon, and you want to avoid that "guilt" feeling, try pairing it with kimchi! Just pick a piece of lechon, and try wrapping it with kimchi! Go ahead, try!