Crispy and Delicious Stir-fried Garlic Scapes
Spring Delicacy! Fragrant and Crispy Stir-fried Garlic Scapes
Make this fragrant and delicious stir-fried garlic scapes at home easily! It’s perfect as a side dish, and the sweet, sour, and spicy seasoning is truly a rice thief. Here’s a detailed recipe for garlic scapes with a wonderful crispy texture and refreshing garlic aroma.
Ingredients
- 1 bundle garlic scapes (approx. 200g)
- Pinch of salt (for blanching)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp oligodang (corn syrup) or rice syrup
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (maesil cheong)
- A little sesame seeds or black sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Boil a generous amount of water in a pot and add a pinch of salt (about 1/2 teaspoon). This salted water helps remove any raw smell from the garlic scapes and keeps them crisp.
Step 2
Wash the garlic scapes thoroughly. If they are too long, cut them into manageable lengths of about 5-7 cm. Blanch the prepared garlic scapes in the boiling salted water for precisely 50 seconds only. Be careful not to overcook them, as they will become mushy; using a timer is recommended. Immediately remove the blanched scapes and rinse them under cold running water to cool them down. This step is crucial for maintaining their crisp texture.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the flavorful seasoning for the stir-fried garlic scapes. First, add 2 tablespoons of gochujang to a mixing bowl.
Step 4
Next, add 2 tablespoons of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) for a spicy kick. You can adjust the amount of chili flakes to your preference if you like it spicier.
Step 5
Add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce to enhance the savory flavor. Soy sauce acts as a binder for all the ingredients’ tastes.
Step 6
For a touch of sweetness, add 2 tablespoons of oligodang (corn syrup). If you don’t have oligodang, rice syrup can be used as a substitute. Adjust the sweetness to your liking.
Step 7
Add 0.5 tablespoon of minced garlic to subtly enhance the pungent aroma of the garlic scapes. Be cautious not to add too much, as it can overpower the dish with garlic flavor.
Step 8
Stir in 0.5 tablespoon of sesame oil for a nutty fragrance. Adding sesame oil at the end preserves its aroma best.
Step 9
Add 1 tablespoon of plum extract (maesil cheong) for a refreshing taste and aroma. If plum extract is unavailable, you can adjust the sweetness using sugar or more oligodang.
Step 10
Drain the cooled garlic scapes thoroughly after rinsing them in cold water. Cut them again into bite-sized pieces (about 3-4 cm). If they are too long, the seasoning might not distribute evenly.
Step 11
Add the drained garlic scapes and a generous amount of sesame seeds (or black sesame seeds) to the prepared seasoning. The sesame seeds add a nutty flavor and visual appeal.
Step 12
Now, gently mix everything together, ensuring the seasoning coats the garlic scapes evenly. Be careful not to knead too vigorously, as this can break down the garlic scapes; handle them gently.
Step 13
Your crispy and delicious stir-fried garlic scapes are ready! The refreshing aroma and the spicy-sweet seasoning make this an excellent side dish for rice.
Step 14
Tip: If you find the seasoning a bit generous or prefer an extra crunchy texture, try adding some thinly sliced cabbage and mixing it in. The sweetness and crunch of the cabbage will add another layer of flavor and texture to your dish.
