Spicy and Sweet Anchovy Stir-fry with Gochujang
Try this flavorful and addictive Anchovy Stir-fry with Gochujang – a perfect side dish!
When you think of cooking anchovies, you might usually consider stir-frying them with sugar or soy sauce. However, this Gochujang-based anchovy stir-fry offers a delightful and unique twist! The savory and spicy notes from the gochujang, combined with a touch of sweetness, make it an incredibly delicious side dish to enjoy with rice. It’s a fantastic way to elevate your mealtime experience.
Main Ingredients- Anchovies 60g (gutted and deboned, if necessary)
Seasoning Ingredients- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 2 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup) 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Perilla oil (or sesame oil) 1 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 2 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup) 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Perilla oil (or sesame oil) 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s begin by preparing the star ingredient: the anchovies. If you are using larger anchovies for soup, make sure to remove their heads and innards, and pluck out any sharp bones to make them easier to eat. If you’re using small, dried anchovies (like for snacks), you can use them as they are. Proper preparation of the anchovies is key to a delicious outcome.
Step 2
Next, we’ll create the special sauce for our anchovy stir-fry. In a small bowl, combine 2 Tbsp of soy sauce, 1 Tbsp of oligosaccharide (or corn syrup), and 1 Tbsp of minced garlic. Stir these well until they are nicely mixed. Then, add 2 Tbsp of gochujang to this mixture and stir everything together thoroughly until you have a smooth, well-combined sauce.
Step 3
Now, it’s time to stir-fry the anchovies. Heat a pan over low heat and add the prepared anchovies. Stir-fry them gently, making sure they don’t burn. Stir-frying the anchovies helps to remove any fishy smell, enhances their nutty flavor, and makes them wonderfully crispy.
Step 4
Once the anchovies have been stir-fried sufficiently and have become fragrant, push them to one side of the pan. Add 2 Tbsp of cooking oil to the empty side of the pan and stir-fry the anchovies in this oil. This step ensures the anchovies become even more flavorful and crispy. Be careful not to let the anchovies stick to the pan.
Step 5
With the stir-fried anchovies still pushed to one side, pour the prepared sauce into the empty space in the pan. Let the sauce simmer gently over low heat. Once the sauce begins to bubble, mix it thoroughly with the anchovies and continue to stir-fry everything together. This process allows the sauce to beautifully coat and infuse the anchovies, creating a truly delicious stir-fry.
Step 6
Finally, just before you’re done stir-frying the anchovies and sauce together, turn off the heat and drizzle in 1 Tbsp of perilla oil (or sesame oil). Give it one final quick stir. The aromatic flavor of the perilla oil will elevate the taste of your anchovy stir-fry to the next level. Your delicious Spicy and Sweet Anchovy Stir-fry with Gochujang is now ready to enjoy!
