Perilla Shoot and Anchovy Stir-fry
How to Make Perilla Shoot and Anchovy Stir-fry: A Delicious Summer Side Dish Recipe
Introducing a delightful summer side dish: a fragrant stir-fry made with perilla shoots! Perilla shoots are much softer and more tender than mature perilla leaves, carrying their unique aroma beautifully. When stir-fried until moist, they become a wonderfully savory and soft vegetable side. This recipe features the addition of savory anchovies, rich in calcium, for an even deeper flavor. Typically, stir-fried anchovies are often enhanced with ingredients like chili peppers, but this dish combines the best of both worlds, allowing you to make a delicious anchovy and vegetable side dish all at once. Let me guide you step-by-step through making this flavorful perilla shoot and anchovy stir-fry.
Main Ingredients- Dried anchovies 30g (about 4 blocks)
- Perilla shoots 300g
- Vinegar 2 Tbsp (for washing perilla shoots)
- Coarse salt 1/2 Tbsp (for blanching perilla shoots)
- 1/3 onion
- 10cm leek
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, trim any wilted or tough stems from the perilla shoots and prepare them by cleaning.
Step 2
Place the perilla shoots in a large bowl, cover them with water, and add 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Let them soak for about 10 minutes to clean thoroughly.
Step 3
Finely chop the leek into small pieces. Thinly slice the onion as well.
Step 4
Pour 1.5 liters of water into a pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add 1/2 tablespoon of coarse salt.
Step 5
Add the perilla shoots to the boiling salt water and blanch them very briefly, for about 15 seconds. Blanching for just this short amount of time will ensure they remain tender and delicious, not tough.
Step 6
Immediately rinse the blanched perilla shoots under cold running water to stop the cooking process. Gently squeeze out as much water as possible before setting them aside. Properly squeezing out the water is crucial to prevent excess moisture during stir-frying and ensures the seasoning adheres well.
Step 7
Now, heat a dry stir-fry pan over medium heat. Add the anchovies and stir-fry for about 1 minute without any oil. This step removes moisture from the anchovies and gets rid of any fishy odor, making them crispier. While medium-sized anchovies are ideal, any anchovies suitable for stir-frying will work wonderfully. We’re using about 1 cup (approximately 30g) of anchovies.
Step 8
Transfer the stir-fried anchovies to a separate bowl. In the same pan, add the seasoning ingredients: 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 tablespoon cooking wine, 1 tablespoon cooking oil, and 1 tablespoon minced garlic. Pour in about 50ml of kelp broth. If you don’t have kelp broth, regular water is fine. Using kelp broth adds an extra layer of savory depth and moisture. (To make kelp broth: Steep a piece of dried kelp in 1 cup of water for about 30 minutes).
Step 9
Once the seasoning mixture begins to simmer, add all the squeezed perilla shoots. As they might be clumped together from squeezing, gently separate them with chopsticks while stir-frying. Cook just until the seasoning is absorbed and the mixture becomes moist, ensuring the perilla shoots are evenly coated.
Step 10
When the perilla shoots have absorbed the seasoning and the mixture is slightly moist, add the pre-fried anchovies back into the pan. Stir-fry lightly once more to combine the anchovies with the seasoned perilla shoots.
Step 11
Finally, add the chopped leeks and sliced onions. Stir-fry for just about 30 seconds to 1 minute, until the vegetables are slightly softened but still have a bit of crunch. Avoid overcooking to maintain their texture.
Step 12
Once all ingredients are well combined, turn off the heat. Drizzle in 2 tablespoons of sesame oil for a rich, nutty aroma and flavor. Gently toss to distribute the sesame oil. Your delicious perilla shoot and anchovy stir-fry is now complete! This summer delicacy fills your home with its rich aroma, truly awakening the appetite. Perilla shoots are packed with vitamins and iron, making this a healthy and delicious side dish. Enjoy making this wonderful perilla side dish! It serves as an excellent everyday banchan and is also perfect for mixing into rice when you lack appetite.
