Spicy Stir-Fried Anchovies with Garlic Scapes
Stir-fried Anchovies! Spicy Garlic Scape and Anchovy Stir-fry
The eternal national side dish, stir-fried anchovies! Today, I made it spicy. This recipe offers a delightful crunchy texture from the garlic scapes combined with savory anchovies and a bold, spicy kick. Perfect for elevating your meal! Check out the detailed video tutorial here: (https://youtu.be/D9e5h3TWhHg)
Main Ingredients- 100g anchovies (any type works, whether for broth or dried snacks; for large anchovies, remove heads and guts)
- 150g garlic scapes (alternatively, a handful of shishito peppers can be used)
Spicy Seasoning- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 4 Tbsp corn syrup (or rice syrup)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp rice wine (mirin or cooking wine)
- 3 Tbsp sesame oil
- 3 Tbsp sesame seeds (whole or crushed)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 4 Tbsp corn syrup (or rice syrup)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp rice wine (mirin or cooking wine)
- 3 Tbsp sesame oil
- 3 Tbsp sesame seeds (whole or crushed)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
You can use any type of anchovies for this recipe. If you’re using larger anchovies, it’s best to remove their heads and guts for a better eating experience. If you don’t have garlic scapes, a handful of shishito peppers can be a delicious substitute. Feel free to experiment with other vegetables too!
Step 2
Wash the garlic scapes thoroughly under running water. Trim them and cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 4-5 cm long. Make sure to pat them dry completely; this helps prevent oil splattering during cooking.
Step 3
Heat about 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the cut garlic scapes and stir-fry them lightly until they just begin to soften. This step helps maintain their pleasant crispiness.
Step 4
After lightly stir-frying the garlic scapes, add all the seasoning ingredients: soy sauce, corn syrup, gochujang, and gochugaru. Stir well to coat the garlic scapes with the sauce and continue to cook for a short while. Be mindful of the heat to prevent the sauce from burning.
Step 5
Check the tenderness of the garlic scapes at this point. They cook relatively quickly, so you want them to be slightly tender but still retain a bit of their crunch. If they are too soft, they might become mushy.
Step 6
Add the anchovies and rice wine to the pan. Stir everything together to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed. Keep the heat on low and stir continuously to prevent the anchovies and sauce from burning or sticking to the pan. Stir-frying gently is key here.
Step 7
Once everything is well combined and cooked, turn off the heat. Stir in the sesame oil and sesame seeds. The residual heat will lightly toast the seeds and infuse the dish with a wonderful aroma and nutty flavor. Your delicious spicy garlic scape and anchovy stir-fry is ready to be served with rice!
