Chive and Vegetable Stir-fry with Flower Buns
A Mild Chive Stir-fry Loved by Kids, Perfect for Holidays!
The combination of stir-fried dishes and flower buns is truly classic. While I wanted to make a spicy version of the popular Gochu Japchae (spicy stir-fried glass noodles with vegetables and meat) to enjoy with flower buns, my children are still too young for it. So, I opted for a milder version using chives and bell peppers, calling it Buchu Japchae. Let me share with you how to make this delicious chive stir-fry that the whole family can enjoy!
For Marinading the Pork- 300g Pork loin
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 tsp Minced ginger
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine)
- 1 tsp Black pepper
For the Stir-fry- 130g Chives (about 1 handful)
- 1/2 Onion
- 1/2 Green onion
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1/2 Bell pepper of each color (e.g., red, yellow)
- Cooking oil, as needed
- 1 Tbsp Oyster sauce
- 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
- 1 tsp Sesame oil
- 130g Chives (about 1 handful)
- 1/2 Onion
- 1/2 Green onion
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1/2 Bell pepper of each color (e.g., red, yellow)
- Cooking oil, as needed
- 1 Tbsp Oyster sauce
- 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
- 1 tsp Sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, slice the pork loin into bite-sized pieces and place them in a bowl. Add 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 tsp minced ginger, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp mirin, and 1 tsp black pepper. Mix well to coat the pork.
Step 2
Gently massage the marinated pork to help the flavors penetrate. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes to marinate. This step tenderizes the pork and removes any gamey odor.
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the vegetables. Wash the chives and cut them into approximately 7cm lengths. Slice the bell peppers thinly into strips. Slice half an onion thinly. Chop the green onion for making green onion oil. Have 1 Tbsp minced garlic ready.
Step 4
Heat 3 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the chopped green onion and stir-fry until it turns a light brown color and becomes fragrant, releasing its aromatic oil. Once fragrant, turn off the heat and carefully remove the fried green onion from the pan. This infused oil will significantly enhance the dish’s flavor.
Step 5
Add 1 Tbsp of cornstarch to the marinated pork and mix it well. Coating the pork with cornstarch before cooking will help it stay moist and tender.
Step 6
Reheat the pan with the green onion oil. Add the cornstarch-coated pork and stir-fry over high heat. Quickly sear the pork to cook the outside.
Step 7
Once the pork is lightly browned and appears almost fried, it’s time to add the prepared vegetables. Push the pork to one side of the pan to create space for stir-frying the vegetables.
Step 8
Add the sliced onion, minced garlic, and colorful bell peppers to the empty side of the pan. Stir-fry over high heat for a short time to maintain the crispness of the vegetables. Then, mix them with the pork.
Step 9
Pour in 1 Tbsp of oyster sauce and stir-fry everything together until well combined. Finally, add the chives and stir-fry just until they wilt slightly.
Step 10
It’s crucial not to overcook the chives; they should only wilt slightly. Overcooking will make them mushy and dull their vibrant color. Keep the stir-frying brief to retain their crisp texture.
Step 11
To thicken the sauce, mix 1 Tbsp of cornstarch with 2 Tbsp of water to create a slurry. Drizzle this slurry around the edges of the pan and stir everything quickly. The slurry will coat the ingredients, giving them a glossy finish and a slightly thickened sauce. (Be mindful of the water released by the vegetables and adjust the slurry consistency as needed.)
Step 12
Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in 1 tsp of sesame oil and give it a quick mix. This will add a wonderfully nutty aroma to your finished chive stir-fry.
Step 13
While the stir-fry is cooking, steam plenty of flower buns in a steamer until warm and fluffy. These soft buns are a perfect accompaniment to the savory stir-fry.
Step 14
Arrange the finished chive stir-fry attractively on a serving platter. Serve it generously alongside the warm, steamed flower buns.
Step 15
Tear open a flower bun, generously fill it with the stir-fried pork and vegetables, and take a big bite – it’s pure bliss! The combination of the soft bun and the rich, flavorful stir-fry is absolutely delightful.
Step 16
This chive stir-fry was so mild that my young children absolutely loved it! They gave it two thumbs up, especially enjoying the sweetness of the colorful bell peppers. It’s a highly recommended dish for the whole family to enjoy together!
