Pork and Garlic Scape Stir-fry: A Delicious Side Dish
Pork and Garlic Scape Stir-fry Recipe
Made this as a one-dish meal. Enjoy this flavorful stir-fry featuring tender pork and crisp garlic scapes, perfect for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients- 1 bunch fresh garlic scapes
- Approx. 300g pork neck (moksal)
- 2 Korean chili peppers (cheongyang-gochu)
Seasoning- 2 Tbsp soy sauce (jin-ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- A pinch of black pepper
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce (jin-ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- A pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Start by washing the garlic scapes thoroughly under running water. Make sure to clean them well to remove any dirt or debris. Cut the cleaned garlic scapes into bite-sized pieces. Aim for pieces about 5cm long, as they can be cumbersome to stir-fry if too long.
Step 2
Gently pat the cut garlic scapes dry with paper towels. This step helps prevent oil splattering during cooking and ensures they become crispier. Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a wide, shallow pan (enough to mostly cover the scapes). Once the pan is preheated over medium heat, add all the dried garlic scapes and stir-fry them evenly. Cooking over medium heat rather than high heat will help preserve their crisp texture.
Step 3
When stir-frying the garlic scapes, be mindful of hot oil splattering. Use a cooking utensil to stir them, maintaining a safe distance from the pan. Stir-fry over medium-low heat until the garlic scapes turn golden brown and slightly wilted, but still retain their crispness. Once they are nicely browned and slightly shrunken, reduce the heat or briefly turn it off.
Step 4
Now, prepare the pork. Cut the pork neck into bite-sized pieces, similar in size to the garlic scapes. You’ll be using the same pan with the garlic scape oil, so if there’s enough oil left, proceed. If not, add 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Using 2 tablespoons of the oil used for stir-frying the garlic scapes will add a deeper flavor. Add the cut pork to the pan and stir-fry over high heat until the surface of the pork is cooked and has changed color.
Step 5
Once the pork starts to turn golden brown on the outside, add the measured 2 tablespoons of soy sauce to the pan. Stir-fry the pork with the soy sauce until it’s evenly coated and glossy. Be careful not to let the soy sauce burn by keeping the heat on medium.
Step 6
After stir-frying the pork with soy sauce, add the reserved stir-fried garlic scapes back into the pan. Stir-fry everything together evenly. This step allows the crispiness of the garlic scapes and the savory flavor of the pork to meld, creating a wonderful aroma.
Step 7
Prepare the Korean chili peppers for a touch of heat. Remove the seeds from the chili peppers and finely mince or thinly slice them. Add the prepared chili peppers to the stir-frying pork and garlic scapes, and mix well. The spicy aroma will rise, further whetting your appetite. You can adjust the amount of chili peppers to your preference.
Step 8
Finally, add 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce to the pan for an extra boost of umami. Oyster sauce enhances the overall flavor of the dish and creates a beautiful balance of sweetness and saltiness. Stir-fry until all ingredients and seasonings are evenly combined.
Step 9
Once the pork is fully cooked and has a delicious golden-brown color, turn off the heat. Finish by sprinkling a pinch of black pepper (about 3-4 shakes) to remove any gamey odors and add extra flavor. Transfer the finished pork and garlic scape stir-fry to a serving dish for a beautiful meal. It’s also incredibly delicious served over a bowl of hot rice!
