Fragrant Perilla Leaf Greens Fritter: A Summer Delicacy
Summer Seasonal Perilla Leaf Recipe / Easy Snack Perilla Leaf Fritters / Perilla Stem Dishes
Enjoy these fragrant perilla leaf green fritters, perfect as a simple snack with drinks. The subtle perilla aroma that gently spreads in your mouth is delightful, and they’re wonderfully crispy and savory! A delicious way to enjoy summer’s bounty.
Fritter Ingredients
- 1 basket of fresh perilla leaf greens (about 300-400g)
- 1/4 Korean zucchini (about 50g)
- 20g carrot
- 2 Korean chili peppers (adjust to your spice preference)
- Generous amount of cooking oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon dried shrimp powder (for umami boost!)
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1.5 cups tempura flour (or pancake mix, all-purpose flour)
- A little cold water (for adjusting batter consistency)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all the ingredients needed to make these delicious perilla leaf green fritters. The fresh greens and crisp vegetables will create a wonderful harmony!
Step 2
Here’s how to prepare the perilla leaf greens: First, gently remove any yellowed or wilted leaves. Also, trim off any thick or tough stems that are uncomfortable to eat. After trimming, it’s crucial to wash them thoroughly. Since there might be dirt or debris on the underside of the leaves, soak them in cold water for about 10 minutes, then rinse them 3-4 times under running water. Drain well.
Step 3
For the supporting vegetables, wash and peel the Korean zucchini and carrot, then julienne them thinly. Finely mince the Korean chili peppers after removing the seeds. If you enjoy spicy food, you can increase the amount of chili peppers, or omit them if serving to children.
Step 4
Place the prepared perilla leaf greens in a bowl. Using scissors, cut them into bite-sized pieces. Avoid cutting them too finely, as this can reduce the satisfying texture when chewing.
Step 5
Add the julienned carrots and zucchini, along with the minced Korean chili peppers, to the bowl with the perilla leaf greens. The colorful vegetables will blend beautifully with the greens.
Step 6
Now, let’s make the batter! Crack 1 egg into the bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of dried shrimp powder for an extra layer of umami and a pinch of salt for seasoning. Pour in 1.5 cups of tempura flour. Gradually add cold water while mixing the batter. It’s important to achieve a consistency where the ingredients just start to bind together, without being too runny.
Step 7
Once the batter reaches a consistency where the vegetables are just held together, your delicious perilla leaf green fritter batter is complete! Be careful not to make it too thin, as this can cause the fritters to lose their shape when cooking.
Step 8
Heat a pan and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Ladle in a portion of the batter and spread it evenly to form a round shape. Cooking over medium heat rather than high heat will ensure the fritters cook through without burning.
Step 9
Once one side is golden brown, carefully flip the fritter and cook the other side until it’s also a beautiful golden brown. When both sides are crisply fried, your fragrant and savory perilla leaf green fritters are ready! They are best enjoyed warm right off the pan.
