Braised Radish: A Simple & Healthy Winter Side Dish
Boost Your Immunity This Winter! Easy Braised Radish Recipe with a Secret Sauce
As the cold winter approaches, it’s common to feel a dip in immunity. This recipe uses affordable and nutritious winter radish (mu) to help strengthen your body’s defenses. Enjoy a delicious and healthy side dish!
Ingredients- 800ml Water
- 223g Korean Radish (Mu)
- 1 cup Sliced Scallions
- 3 Dried Small Shrimp (Bori Saeu)
- 1 Korean Green Chili Pepper (Cheongyang Pepper)
- 1 Anchovy Broth Pack (or 5 dried anchovies, a piece of kelp)
- 2/3 cup Soy Sauce (using a standard paper cup)
- 4 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Perilla Oil (Deulgireum)
- A pinch of Ginger (minced or ginger powder)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing all the necessary ingredients. For the broth pack, you can customize it to your preference. I’ve prepared mine with dried small shrimp and anchovies in a broth pack to deepen the flavor. If using dried anchovies, remember to remove their insides for a cleaner taste.
Step 2
Now, let’s make the key to this delicious braised radish: the sauce! In a bowl, combine 2/3 cup of soy sauce (measured with a standard paper cup), 4 Tbsp of gochugaru, 2 Tbsp of sugar, 1 Tbsp of minced garlic, and 1 Tbsp of perilla oil. Mix these well. Then, add 1 cup of sliced scallions and a small pinch of ginger (either minced fresh ginger or ginger powder) for extra aroma and flavor. Mixing the sauce in advance will make the cooking process much smoother.
Step 3
Pour 800ml of water into a pot. Add the prepared dried small shrimp and the anchovy broth pack. Next, cut the Korean radish (mu) into approximately 1cm thick half-moon shapes or bite-sized pieces and add them to the pot. The radish will absorb the delicious sauce and broth as it cooks.
Step 4
Pour all the pre-made sauce into the pot with the radish. Add the thinly sliced Cheongyang pepper and the remaining 1 cup of sliced scallions (measured with a standard paper cup). Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat and cook for about 10 minutes, covered. This step allows the radish to start absorbing the flavorful sauce.
Step 5
After 10 minutes, remove the dried small shrimp and the broth pack from the pot to prevent the broth from becoming cloudy. Now, reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking, uncovered. Be careful not to break the radish pieces as you let the sauce simmer and reduce.
Step 6
Continue simmering over medium heat until the liquid has reduced to a nice, glossy consistency. This usually takes about another 15-20 minutes. Basting the radish with the simmering sauce occasionally will help it absorb the flavor evenly. Once the sauce reaches your desired thickness, taste it. If it’s a bit too salty, you can add a little more water to adjust the seasoning. Conversely, if it’s too bland, you can add a touch more soy sauce.
Step 7
And there you have it – a simple yet incredibly delicious braised radish! Serve this as a wonderful side dish on your warm winter table. Enjoy reviving your appetite and boosting your immunity with this delightful dish!
