Spicy and Savory Stir-Fried Rice with Marinated Baby Octopus
Magical Transformation with Leftover Marinated Baby Octopus: A Golden Recipe for Stir-Fried Rice
This recipe is perfect for those who are new to fermented seafood or for ingeniously using up small amounts of leftover marinated baby octopus. It transforms into a delightful meal, offering a flavorful solution for utilizing leftover side dishes.
Main Ingredients- 2 Tbsp marinated baby octopus (approx. 60g)
- 2 bowls cooked rice (approx. 400g)
- 1 small onion (approx. 100g)
- 1/4 Korean zucchini (approx. 50g)
- 15 cloves garlic (approx. 30g)
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil or olive oil
- 1 Tbsp mirin or cooking sake
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the vegetables. Thinly julienne the onion. Slice the Korean zucchini into similar thin strips. For the garlic, you can either thinly slice it or smash the cloves with the side of your knife; smashing will release more garlic flavor.
Step 2
Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the julienned onions and sauté them slowly until they become translucent and release a sweet aroma. This slow sautéing is key to developing their sweetness.
Step 3
Once the onions start to turn translucent, add the julienned Korean zucchini to the pan. Continue to stir-fry with the onions until the zucchini begins to soften slightly and its color becomes vibrant.
Step 4
When the zucchini is partially cooked, add the sliced or smashed garlic to the pan. Sauté for about 1 minute more, allowing the fragrant garlic aroma to bloom. Be mindful of the heat to prevent the garlic from burning.
Step 5
Now it’s time for our star ingredient: the marinated baby octopus! Add 2 tablespoons of the marinated baby octopus and 1 tablespoon of mirin (or cooking sake) to the pan. Stir-fry everything together quickly for 1-2 minutes, ensuring the octopus is well combined with the vegetables. The mirin helps to cut through any potential gaminess of the octopus and adds a depth of flavor.
Step 6
Turn off the heat. Add 2 bowls of warm cooked rice to the pan. Gently mix and stir the rice with a spatula, ensuring the octopus seasoning coats each grain of rice. It’s important to mix gently to avoid clumping the rice. Finally, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and mix again to give the rice a nice sheen. Your delicious stir-fried rice is almost ready!
Step 7
Voilà! Your delicious stir-fried rice with marinated baby octopus is complete! A wonderful meal has been created with simple ingredients. For an extra touch, consider topping it with a fried egg or a sprinkle of roasted seaweed flakes for an even more satisfying experience.
