All-Purpose Scallion Sauce: Flavorful and Versatile!
Al-Tal-Ran’s All-Purpose Scallion Sauce by Chef Lee Hye-jung
A simple yet incredibly flavorful sauce made with plenty of scallions, fragrant sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds. Gently simmered, this versatile sauce adds a delicious depth to any dish. Perfect for grilled meats like pork belly, as a topping for bibimbap, or even in seasoned vegetable dishes. Enjoy its rich aroma and taste!
Ingredients
- 70g white parts of scallions (about 1 large stalk)
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the scallions. Use only the white parts, about 70g (approximately one large stalk). Finely mince the clean white parts of the scallions. In a bowl, combine the minced scallions with 1.5 tsp of salt and mix well. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to remove any bitterness and draw out excess moisture, enhancing their natural sweetness. *Cooking Tip: Avoid using the green parts of the scallions as they can be bitter or watery. The white parts offer the best sweetness.
Step 2
Now, let’s make the sauce. Heat a pan over medium heat and add 1/2 cup of sesame oil along with 2 Tbsp of cooking oil. The ratio of sesame oil to cooking oil is about 3:7. Using cooking oil helps raise the smoke point of the sesame oil, preventing burning and adding to the nutty flavor. Once the oil is hot enough, indicated by 2-3 bubbling spots, add the prepared scallions. Sauté them briefly, for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, just enough to release their aroma and flavor without overcooking. Immediately turn off the heat, and add 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds. Stir everything together while the pan is off the heat to lower the temperature and prevent the sesame seeds from burning. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with a little more salt if needed.
Step 3
Once cooled slightly, transfer the delicious all-purpose scallion sauce to a clean airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for about 2 weeks. This sauce is a wonderful accompaniment to grilled meats, bibimbap, and various seasoned vegetable dishes. Its abundant scallion aroma and rich sesame oil flavor will elevate any meal!
