Beef and Baby Octopus Stir-fry: A Delicious Fusion of Seasonal Baby Octopus and Savory Beef
Flavorful Stir-fry of Seasonal Baby Octopus and Beef
Experience a delightful marriage of tender beef and the freshest seasonal baby octopus. While baby octopus is commonly paired with pork belly, this recipe introduces a unique and incredibly delicious combination with beef that is sure to impress. It might seem a bit unusual at first, but the taste is truly exceptional! Perfect as a side dish for rice or a fantastic appetizer for drinks.
Main Ingredients- Beef sirloin 400g (sirloin steak cut or other tender cut)
- Baby octopus 300g (cleaned)
- Green onion 1 stalk
- Onion 1
- Carrot a small amount (for color)
Seasoning- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 1 Tbsp
- Fine gochugaru 1/2 Tbsp
- Cheongyang gochugaru (spicy chili flakes) 1 tsp (optional, for extra heat)
- Guk-ganjang (Korean soup soy sauce) 2/3 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Plum extract 1 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (Mirin, etc.) 1 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 1/3 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 1 Tbsp
- Fine gochugaru 1/2 Tbsp
- Cheongyang gochugaru (spicy chili flakes) 1 tsp (optional, for extra heat)
- Guk-ganjang (Korean soup soy sauce) 2/3 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Plum extract 1 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (Mirin, etc.) 1 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 1/3 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Use beef sirloin, ideally a tender cut like steak. Pat dry any excess moisture with a kitchen towel. Cut the beef into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper, then lightly coat with perilla oil (or sesame oil) to keep it tender and flavorful.
Step 2
For instructions on cleaning baby octopus, please refer to previous recipes. Briefly blanch the cleaned baby octopus in boiling water for just a few seconds (about 10-15 seconds) – be careful not to overcook, as it can become tough. Immediately rinse under cold water and drain well.
Step 3
Lightly season the blanched baby octopus with salt and perilla oil (or sesame oil). This step enhances its natural savory flavor.
Step 4
Heat a pan over medium-low heat and add perilla oil (or sesame oil). Add the green onion (cut into rounds) and onion. Stir-fry until fragrant, allowing the vegetables to release their sweetness and aroma, which will enrich the dish.
Step 5
Once the onions and green onions are softened, add the carrot, cut into small pieces, and stir-fry together. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the carrots to bring out their flavor.
Step 6
Add the seasoned beef to the pan. Turn up the heat to medium-high and stir-fry quickly, breaking up the meat with a spatula to prevent clumping. Cook just until the beef is no longer pink on the outside, then proceed to the next step.
Step 7
Now, add the seasoned baby octopus to the pan with the beef. Continue to stir-fry over medium-high heat for only 1-2 minutes, ensuring everything is well combined. This quick cooking time is crucial for maintaining the baby octopus’s tender, chewy texture. Add all the prepared seasoning ingredients and toss everything together until well-coated. Your delicious Beef and Baby Octopus Stir-fry is ready!
