Crispy Anchovy Stir-Fry with Abundant Nuts
Making Nutty Anchovy Stir-Fry: A Perfect Side Dish and Lunchbox Staple
This recipe features a delicious stir-fry made with small dried anchovies (jeonmyeolchi) and a generous amount of nuts. It’s not only a fantastic side dish for everyday meals but also an excellent choice for lunchboxes. Let’s get started!
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups small dried anchovies (jeonmyeolchi)
- 60g walnuts
- 50g peanuts
- 20g pine nuts
- 2 Korean green chili peppers (cheongyang chili)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
If your walnuts have been stored for a while, especially in a kimchi refrigerator, they might be a bit stale. To refresh them, blanch the walnuts in boiling water for a minute, then rinse them under cold water. Pat them dry thoroughly. This process helps remove any stale odors and makes them easier to peel if needed, resulting in a cleaner taste. Prepare 60g of walnuts this way.
Step 2
Prepare the Korean green chili peppers. Remove the stems and shake out the seeds. You can then slice them thinly, according to your preference. If you enjoy a spicier kick, you can leave some of the seeds in.
Step 3
Now, let’s gather all the ingredients for our flavorful stir-fry. We have 2 cups of crispy small dried anchovies, 60g of hearty walnuts, 50g of savory peanuts, and 20g of aromatic pine nuts. These ingredients will create a delicious and nutritious dish.
Step 4
Place a pan over low heat and add the small dried anchovies. Stir-fry them until they become crispy. This step helps to remove any excess moisture and any lingering fishy smell, making the anchovies more palatable. After stir-frying, transfer the anchovies to a sieve to shake off any crumbs or unwanted bits for a cleaner final dish.
Step 5
While the anchovies are cooling, let’s prepare the delicious seasoning sauce. In the same pan (or a clean one), combine 3 Tbsp of cooking oil, 1 Tbsp of soy sauce, 1 Tbsp of rice wine, 1 Tbsp of plum extract, 3 Tbsp of corn syrup, 4 Tbsp of anchovy broth (or water), 1 Tbsp of sugar, and 1 Tbsp of minced garlic. Stir everything together evenly. Bring this mixture to a simmer over medium heat, allowing it to bubble and thicken slightly.
Step 6
Once the seasoning sauce is bubbling, add the stir-fried anchovies, walnuts, and peanuts to the pan. Then, toss in the pine nuts. Stir everything gently to coat all the ingredients evenly with the thick, delicious sauce. Continue to cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce clings to the ingredients and they are well combined.
Step 7
Now for the final touch! Add the sliced Korean green chili peppers to the pan. Give everything a final toss to mix them in evenly with the other ingredients and the sauce. The subtle heat from the chili peppers will add a wonderful depth of flavor to the anchovy stir-fry.
Step 8
Just before turning off the heat, sprinkle in 1 Tbsp of sesame seeds and 1 Tbsp of sesame oil. Give it a final stir. The nutty aroma of the sesame oil will enhance the overall flavor. Congratulations! Your irresistible, nutty anchovy stir-fry is now complete. Enjoy this delicious side dish that’s hard to resist!
