Crispy and Delicious Stir-Fried Garlic Scapes
How to Blanch Garlic Scapes for a Flavorful Stir-Fry
Make a delicious stir-fry with fresh garlic scapes harvested from Stella Farm. Removing the scapes encourages the garlic bulbs to grow larger. We’ll show you how to make a simple yet incredibly satisfying side dish using these freshly picked garlic scapes. Learn the secrets to achieving a perfectly crisp texture and a wonderful garlic aroma with this easy recipe, including blanching and seasoning techniques!
Main Ingredients- 200g fresh garlic scapes
- 1/2 Tbsp coarse salt (for blanching)
Seasoning Ingredients- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tsp salt (or 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tsp salt (or 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the fresh garlic scapes thoroughly under running water and shake off excess moisture. Don’t worry if they aren’t all the same length like store-bought ones. Trim the garlic scapes to about 5cm in length for easy eating, but feel free to adjust the size to your preference.
Step 2
✼ The Key to Delicious Stir-Fried Garlic Scapes! Blanching Technique ✼
1. Bring a generous amount of water to a rolling boil in a pot (about twice the volume of the garlic scapes). Once boiling, add 1/2 Tbsp of coarse salt and the trimmed garlic scapes.
2. For 200g of garlic scapes, blanch for about 2 minutes. This step helps remove any pungent flavor and ensures a wonderfully crisp texture.
3. Be careful not to over-blanch, as they can become mushy. Since they will be stir-fried afterward, it’s okay if they are slightly under-blanched. If they are under-blanched, you can extend the stir-frying time, and if they are over-blanched, shorten the stir-frying time accordingly.
Step 3
Immediately after blanching, rinse the garlic scapes under cold water about twice to quickly cool them down. Drain them in a colander, but don’t completely dry them out; a slight moistness is beneficial.
Step 4
Heat 2 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the drained garlic scapes and quickly toss them to coat evenly with the oil.
Step 5
Once the garlic scapes are evenly coated with oil, add 1 tsp of salt and mix gently to season. When the pan is sufficiently hot and you hear a ‘sizzling’ sound, reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir-frying over high heat can cause burning, so controlling the heat is crucial.
Step 6
Continue to stir-fry over medium-low heat for about 3 minutes, checking the texture and seasoning to your liking. Taste as you go. Once you achieve your desired crispness, add 1 tsp of minced garlic and stir-fry together. If the pan seems dry, add 1 Tbsp of water; once it heats up, add the garlic and stir-fry, allowing the water to evaporate, which helps prevent burning and keeps the scapes moist.
Step 7
Finally, taste and adjust the seasoning. If it’s to your liking, sprinkle 1/2 tsp of toasted sesame seeds over the top. The nutty flavor of the sesame seeds will further enhance the dish.
Step 8
Enjoy your perfectly crisp and fragrant stir-fried garlic scapes! Serve them over warm rice for a delicious bowl or as a delightful side dish.
