Bellflower Stir-fry: A Gentle Transformation of a Slightly Bitter Root
Essential for Holiday Feasts! Easy Bellflower Stir-fry with Bitterness Removed – A Simple Recipe for Beginners
Introducing a recipe for Bellflower Stir-fry, a must-have among the three colorful side dishes often served during Korean holidays. The key to this dish is effectively removing the bellflower’s characteristic bitterness. If you follow my method to properly eliminate the bitterness, you can consider 80% of the dish complete. I enjoy eating various side dishes frequently, but bellflower is one I particularly crave only during holiday seasons. This time, I decided to make a generous amount to prepare both stir-fried and seasoned versions. While traditionally, bellflower for ancestral rites is made without green onions or garlic, I’ve added them today to enhance the savory flavor for my family’s enjoyment. Let’s try this recipe to create a tender, savory, and wonderfully non-bitter bellflower stir-fry!
Main Ingredients- 200g bellflower root
- 3 stalks green onions
Bitterness Removal Ingredients- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp salt (coarse salt recommended)
Seasoning Ingredients- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1/2 Tbsp soup soy sauce (for umami)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin) (removes odor, adds tenderness)
- 2-3 pinches rock salt (for final seasoning adjustment)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp ground toasted sesame seeds (enhances nuttiness)
- A little whole sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp salt (coarse salt recommended)
Seasoning Ingredients- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1/2 Tbsp soup soy sauce (for umami)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin) (removes odor, adds tenderness)
- 2-3 pinches rock salt (for final seasoning adjustment)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp ground toasted sesame seeds (enhances nuttiness)
- A little whole sesame seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, the most crucial step is removing the bitterness from the bellflower. Take 200g of prepared bellflower root, add 1 Tbsp of sugar and 1 Tbsp of coarse salt. Then, vigorously rub and squeeze the bellflower with your hands. This process helps to extract the bitter compounds and also softens the bellflower. Rub it with effort for about 5 minutes.
Step 2
Rinse the rubbed bellflower thoroughly under running cold water multiple times. It’s important to wash away all the sugar and salt. Gently rub the bellflower with your hands as you rinse. After rinsing, squeeze out any excess water. If the bellflower pieces are thick, you can gently pound them with the back of a knife or split them in half. This helps the seasoning penetrate better and improves the texture.
Step 3
Heat 2 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the prepared bellflower and stir-fry. When making bellflower stir-fry, using too much soy sauce can make the color too dark and lose the appealing hue of the dish. Use only 1/2 Tbsp of soup soy sauce for a subtle umami flavor. Stir-fry the bellflower until it becomes translucent and tender.
Step 4
Once the bellflower is partially cooked, add 1/2 Tbsp of minced garlic and 2 Tbsp of cooking wine (mirin). Instead of mirin, you can also use a bit of kelp broth or rice water to help remove any unpleasant odors and enhance the flavor. When the bellflower is tenderly stir-fried, turn off the heat and let it cook in the residual heat. Finally, add 1 Tbsp of sesame oil for a nutty aroma.
Step 5
For an even nuttier taste, consider grinding whole sesame seeds yourself to make toasted sesame powder. Add about 1 Tbsp. Taste the stir-fry and adjust the seasoning with 2-3 pinches of rock salt if needed. If you are preparing this for ancestral rites, you should omit the green onions and minced garlic. However, for today’s family meal, I’ve added finely chopped green onions. Adding green onions at the end and mixing lightly helps maintain their crispness.
Step 6
A well-cooked bellflower stir-fry should have a tender and soft texture, not stiff. It’s not spicy or overly salty, and it boasts a beautiful, vibrant color. This bellflower stir-fry is surprisingly easy to make, isn’t it? Enjoy it as a delicious side dish for your meals.
Step 7
Transfer the finished bellflower stir-fry to a nice serving plate. Sprinkle a little whole sesame seeds on top for a visually appealing and delicious finish. The bitterness is gone, replaced by a delicate, nutty flavor that is truly delightful! Enjoy your homemade bellflower side dish.
