Savory and Salty Dried Hairtail Stir-fry: A Perfect Side Dish
Savory and Salty Dried Hairtail Stir-fry: A Perfect Side Dish
This recipe features dried hairtail, creating a rich, savory, and salty side dish. With a hint of sweetness and mild spiciness, it’s an ideal accompaniment to rice. Enjoy the chewy texture and deep flavors of this exquisite side dish made with simple ingredients.
Main Ingredients- 200g dried hairtail, cut into 3-4 pieces
- 1 red chili pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green chili pepper (jalapeño or similar), thinly sliced
- 10 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- Cooking oil, for stir-frying
Seasoning Ingredients- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp fish sauce
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (or syrup)
- Pinch of ginger powder (optional)
- 1 tsp oligosaccharide (for sweetness adjustment)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp cooking wine (to remove fishiness)
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp fish sauce
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (or syrup)
- Pinch of ginger powder (optional)
- 1 tsp oligosaccharide (for sweetness adjustment)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp cooking wine (to remove fishiness)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, lightly rinse the dried hairtail under running water to remove any debris. Then, cut it into manageable pieces, about 3-4 segments per piece. If you’re concerned about any fishy smell, you can soak the pieces in 1 teaspoon of cooking wine for a few minutes before proceeding.
Step 2
Heat a lightly oiled pan over medium heat. Add the prepared dried hairtail pieces and stir-fry until they are lightly golden and slightly firm. This step enhances the flavor and creates a more appealing chewy texture. Remove the stir-fried hairtail from the pan and set aside to cool slightly.
Step 3
Using the same pan, add a little more cooking oil if needed and heat it over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this will affect the final taste. The goal is to infuse the oil with garlic aroma.
Step 4
Once the garlic is fragrant, return the slightly cooled dried hairtail to the pan. Stir-fry the hairtail with the garlic for about 1-2 minutes, allowing the garlic flavor to meld with the fish.
Step 5
Now, let’s prepare the delicious sauce. In a small bowl, combine 1 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp fish sauce, 1 Tbsp plum extract, a pinch of ginger powder (if using), 1 tsp oligosaccharide, and 1 tsp cooking wine. Mix well until thoroughly combined. For an even richer flavor, you can pour this sauce into a separate small pan and bring it to a gentle simmer for a moment before adding it to the hairtail.
Step 6
Pour the prepared sauce over the hairtail and garlic in the pan. Stir everything together to ensure the sauce evenly coats the hairtail. Cook until the sauce has slightly reduced and thickened. Once it reaches this consistency, turn off the heat. Add the thinly sliced red and green chili peppers, and stir them in using the residual heat from the pan. The chilies will soften slightly and add a fresh, spicy element.
Step 7
Finally, sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds over the dish for a nutty aroma and flavor. Drizzle 1 tsp of sesame oil to finish. Give everything a final gentle toss to combine all the flavors. Your delicious dried hairtail stir-fry is now ready.
Step 8
Your savory, salty, and subtly spicy dried hairtail stir-fry is complete! Serve it hot over a bowl of steamed rice for a truly satisfying meal. This dish also keeps well, making it an excellent side dish to have on hand.