Crispy Garlic Scape and Pork Stir-Fry Recipe
Healthy and Nutritious Garlic Scape and Pork Stir-Fry
Garlic scapes, also known as ‘garlic stalks’ or ‘garlic sprouts’, are the edible flower stems of a mature garlic plant. They possess a mild, garlicky flavor that is less pungent than garlic itself, making them versatile for various dishes like stir-fries and side dishes where you can enjoy them in larger quantities. They retain about 70% of garlic’s health benefits and are even richer in beta-carotene, an antioxidant, compared to garlic. Additionally, they are abundant in vitamins E, C, and K, as well as essential amino acids. This recipe focuses on creating a flavorful and nutritious stir-fry by combining the satisfying crunch of garlic scapes with savory ground pork. (Detailed cooking steps can be viewed from 00:46 in the video.)
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Ingredients- 150g Garlic Scapes (approx. 10-12 stalks)
- 200g Ground Pork (with moderate fat content)
- 1 pinch Salt
- 1 pinch Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Wine (or Mirin)
- 1 Red Chili Pepper (for color and mild heat)
- 1/2 Green Onion (mostly the white part)
- 2 Tbsp Doubanjiang (Spicy Bean Paste)
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Sake (or rice wine)
- 3 Tbsp Chili Oil
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the garlic scapes thoroughly, pat them dry, and then cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 3-4 cm long. If the stalks are thick, consider slicing them in half lengthwise to help them absorb the sauce better.
Step 2
Prepare the ground pork. If it’s too lean, the stir-fry might turn out dry, so it’s best to use pork with a moderate amount of fat.
Step 3
In a bowl, combine the ground pork with a pinch of salt, a pinch of black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of cooking wine. Mix well by gently kneading. This step helps to remove any gamey odor from the pork and enhances its flavor.
Step 4
Remove the seeds from the red chili pepper and thinly slice it. This will add a vibrant color to the dish, making it more appealing.
Step 5
Slice the green onion into large pieces, focusing primarily on the white parts for a subtle sweetness.
Step 6
In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of Doubanjiang, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 2 tablespoons of cooking sake, and a little black pepper to create the flavorful sauce for the stir-fry. This sauce mixture is key to the dish’s taste.
Step 7
Heat a frying pan over medium-low heat and add 3 tablespoons of chili oil. Add the minced garlic, sliced red chili pepper, and green onion. Stir-fry until fragrant, allowing the aromatics to infuse into the oil.
Step 8
Once the fragrant aroma begins to release, add the marinated ground pork to the pan. Increase the heat to high and stir-fry quickly until the pork turns opaque.
Step 9
When the pork is almost fully cooked, add the prepared garlic scapes and the sauce mixture to the pan. Stir-fry rapidly over high heat. The goal is to cook the garlic scapes until they are tender-crisp, retaining their delightful crunch. Stir until the sauce coats everything evenly. Your delicious Garlic Scape and Pork Stir-Fry is now ready!
