Chewy & Sweet Stir-fried Acorn Jelly Strips
Delicious Side Dish Made with Dried Acorn Jelly
Here’s a recipe for a delicious stir-fried dried acorn jelly, featuring a delightful chewy texture and the acorn jelly’s signature subtle bitterness. Made with dried acorn jelly strips sent from Gangwon Province, this dish is a perfect side for any meal and will have you reaching for more. It’s great with rice or even as a simple snack with drinks.
Main Ingredients- 200g dried acorn jelly strips
- 3 shiitake mushrooms
- 1 piece (4cm length) carrot
- 50g green onions
Seasoning- 4-5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp corn syrup (or rice syrup)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- Pinch of black pepper
- 4-5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp corn syrup (or rice syrup)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the dried acorn jelly strips. Bring a pot of water to a boil with a pinch of salt. Add the dried acorn jelly and boil until it becomes soft and pliable (this should take about 5-10 minutes, but adjust based on the jelly’s texture).
Step 2
While the acorn jelly is boiling, let’s get the vegetables ready. Using fresh vegetables will enhance the flavor of the dish.
Step 3
Wash the green onions and cut them into 4cm lengths. Trim the stems from the shiitake mushrooms and slice the caps into bite-sized pieces, about 2cm square. Cut the carrot in half lengthwise, then slice it thinly into diamond (golpae) shapes. (Cutting all ingredients into similar sizes ensures they cook evenly and look appealing.)
Step 4
Drain the softened acorn jelly thoroughly using a sieve. If not drained properly, the jelly may clump together when stir-frying or the seasoning might not absorb well.
Step 5
Heat about 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the sliced carrots first and stir-fry until they become slightly golden and tender. Stir-frying carrots in oil brings out their sweetness and vibrant color.
Step 6
Once the carrots are tender and lightly browned, add the drained acorn jelly and the prepared shiitake mushrooms to the pan. Stir-fry gently to prevent the ingredients from sticking together.
Step 7
Now it’s time to add the seasoning. In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, sugar, corn syrup, minced garlic, and black pepper. Add this mixture to the pan. Reduce the heat to medium and stir-fry, allowing the flavors to meld and coat the ingredients evenly. Be careful not to let it burn.
Step 8
When the seasoning is well absorbed and the ingredients have a glossy finish, add the cut green onions. Stir them in gently for just a short time until they are incorporated. It’s important not to overcook the green onions to keep their fresh, crisp texture. Once everything is well combined, turn off the heat. This stir-fried acorn jelly is delicious served warm, or you can let it cool slightly before serving as a side dish. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds just before serving for an extra nutty flavor.
