Spicy and Sweet Stir-Fried Garlic Scapes Recipe
The Irresistible Garlic Scape Stir-Fry That’s a True Rice Thief
Make this delicious spicy and sweet stir-fried garlic scapes, perfect as a side dish. It’s simple yet incredibly flavorful.
Main Ingredients
- 150g fresh garlic scapes
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp coarse gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp maesilcheong (plum extract)
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, trim the flower bud part of the garlic scapes. This part can be tough and not visually appealing, so remove it cleanly with a knife.
Step 2
Next, examine the opposite end of the flower bud, which is the base of the garlic scape. If there are any dirty or tough ends, trim them slightly with a knife for a neat finish.
Step 3
Cut the prepared garlic scapes into bite-sized pieces. Aim for lengths of about 2-3 cm. This size ensures a pleasant texture and allows the seasoning to penetrate well, making them even more delicious.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the flavorful seasoning! In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp coarse gochugaru, 2 Tbsp sweet maesilcheong, 1 Tbsp gochujang, and 1 Tbsp oyster sauce for added umami. Mix thoroughly until the sugar is well dissolved. Making the sauce in advance can speed up the cooking process.
Step 5
Before stir-frying, we’ll briefly blanch the garlic scapes. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, and add a pinch of salt. Adding salt helps to retain the vibrant green color of the garlic scapes and keeps them crisp. Blanch for just 1 minute – be careful not to overcook, as they can become mushy.
Step 6
Immediately after blanching for 1 minute, drain the garlic scapes and rinse them under cold water to cool them down. This crucial step preserves their crispness and prevents them from overcooking from residual heat.
Step 7
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over high heat. Quickly stir-fry the blanched garlic scapes. Stir-frying over high heat helps to evaporate excess moisture and maintain their signature crisp texture.
Step 8
Once the garlic scapes are coated with oil and begin to turn slightly translucent, add all the prepared seasoning. Continue stir-frying over high heat. It’s important to stir-fry quickly to prevent the sauce from burning. Continue for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce is well-coated and clingy to the garlic scapes. Your delicious stir-fried garlic scapes are ready!
