Spicy Braised Sardines
A Flavorful Braised Sardine Recipe, Perfect for Rice
This is a spicy braised dish made with fresh sardines, abundant in the southern seas. It’s a truly delicious way to enjoy this fish, creating a comforting and hearty meal. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special treat!
Main Ingredients
- 1 handful dried bracken (approx. 50g)
- 500g fresh sardines
- 1/2 onion
- 2 Korean chili peppers
Seasoning Ingredients
- 1.5 Tbsp Doenjang (fermented soybean paste)
- 3 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (red chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (red chili powder)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 tsp Ginger juice (or 1/2 tsp minced ginger)
- 1.5 Tbsp Doenjang (fermented soybean paste)
- 3 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (red chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (red chili powder)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 tsp Ginger juice (or 1/2 tsp minced ginger)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, soak the dried bracken in cold water for 2-3 hours until fully rehydrated. Once softened, rinse it thoroughly, squeeze out excess water, and cut into bite-sized pieces (about 5cm long). This process softens the bracken’s texture, making it ideal for braising.
Step 2
Line the bottom of your braising pot with the softened bracken. Arrange the cleaned fresh sardines on top, followed by the thickly sliced onion and diagonally cut Korean chili peppers. The bracken will help absorb any fishy odors and ensure the seasoning distributes evenly.
Step 3
In a separate bowl, combine 1.5 Tbsp doenjang, 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp gochujang, 1 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, a pinch of black pepper, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1 tsp ginger juice. Mix well to create a flavorful seasoning paste. Using doenjang adds a wonderfully savory depth to the sauce.
Step 4
Pour the prepared seasoning paste evenly over the sardines and vegetables in the pot. Add about 1 cup (200ml) of water to the empty seasoning bowl, swirl it around to collect any remaining paste, and pour this into the pot as well. This ensures no flavor is wasted and enriches the braising liquid.
Step 5
Cover the pot and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. During this time, occasionally lift the lid and spoon some of the braising liquid over the fish and bracken to keep them moist and infused with flavor. Fresh sardines are very delicate, so avoid stirring them too much to prevent them from breaking apart. Continue cooking until the fish is tender and the sauce has reduced to a nice glaze.
