Savory Stir-Fried Bellflower Roots (Doraji Namul)
Mastering Doraji Namul Stir-Fry: Easy & Delicious Recipe for Your Holiday Table
Introducing an easy and delicious way to prepare Doraji Namul, a quintessential dish for Korean holidays like Chuseok. Bellflower root, often called ‘little ginseng,’ is packed with nutrients such as saponins, carbohydrates, calcium, iron, and fiber. It’s also known by other names like ‘Doraji’ or dialectal terms ‘Dorae’ and ‘Dolgaji.’ This recipe focuses on removing its characteristic bitterness for a wonderfully fragrant and flavorful side dish perfect for the whole family.
Ingredients- 200g Bellflower roots (Doraji)
- 3 Tbsp Perilla oil (Deulgireum)
- 1/3 cup Anchovy broth
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp Dried shrimp powder
- Pinch of Salt
- 0.5 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Thoroughly wash the unpeeled, domestic bellflower roots under running water. Use a peeler to remove the skin. Cut thicker roots into 4 pieces and thinner ones into 2 pieces. To effectively remove the bitterness, soak the cut bellflower roots in cold water with a tablespoon of vinegar for about 1 hour.
Step 2
After soaking, remove the bellflower roots from the water. Add 1 tablespoon of coarse salt and knead them thoroughly with your hands to completely eliminate any bitterness. Rinse the kneaded roots multiple times under running water until clean. This completes the preparation.
Step 3
Heat 2 tablespoons of perilla oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant. Add the prepared bellflower roots and stir-fry for about 1 minute. Pour in the anchovy broth (1/3 cup), cover the pan with a lid, and let it simmer gently over low heat for 3-5 minutes, or until the broth is fully absorbed by the bellflower roots.
Step 4
Check if the bellflower roots are tender. Stir in the dried shrimp powder (0.5 Tbsp). Adjust the seasoning with salt if needed. Finally, add the toasted sesame seeds (0.5 Tbsp) and the remaining 1 tablespoon of perilla oil, and mix gently. Your delicious stir-fried bellflower roots are now ready.
Step 5
For an added touch of flavor and visual appeal, sprinkle a little black sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the finished dish.
