Stir-Fried Aged Mustard Greens (Gat Kimchi)
Transform Aged Mustard Greens into a Rice-Thief Side Dish
While I don’t personally make kimchi during the traditional season, one of my winter duties is to organize the aged kimchi in the refrigerator. My homemade napa cabbage kimchi was quickly gone because the kids loved it so much. I was craving stir-fried kimchi, so I looked through the fridge and found a whole jar of aged mustard greens! Stir-frying them in perilla oil turned them into an irresistible side dish that’s perfect for rice. If you have aged mustard greens, you can easily make this delicious dish!
Ingredients- Aged mustard greens (gat kimchi) – 1 large bowlful
- Perilla oil – 2 Tbsp
- Minced garlic – 0.5 Tbsp
- Sugar – 0.5 Tbsp (or to taste)
- Water – 1/2 cup
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
To prepare the aged mustard greens for stir-frying, it’s best to lightly rinse off some of the strong seasoning. This will result in a cleaner, milder flavor. Don’t soak them for too long; just gently shake them in cold water to remove excess seasoning. After rinsing, place the mustard greens in a colander and gently press them with your hands to remove as much water as possible. Draining them well will prevent the stir-fry from becoming too watery.
Step 2
Once drained, arrange the mustard greens neatly and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Cutting them into manageable lengths will make them easier to eat with rice.
Step 3
In a bowl, combine the cut mustard greens with 0.5 Tbsp of minced garlic and 2 Tbsp of fragrant perilla oil. Gently toss and mix everything together with your hands until well combined. Ensure the perilla oil evenly coats the greens. Avoid over-mixing or mashing them; a gentle toss is key.
Step 4
Transfer the seasoned mustard greens to a preheated pan and stir-fry over medium heat. Keep stirring gently to prevent the perilla oil from sticking to the pan. Continue stir-frying until the mustard greens soften slightly and wilt.
Step 5
To ensure the mustard greens are tender and moist, add 1/2 cup of water to the pan. Adding a bit of water while stir-frying helps to soften the greens and allows the seasoning to penetrate better, resulting in a more delicious dish. Adjust the amount of water based on the quantity of mustard greens you are using.
Step 6
Finally, add 0.5 Tbsp of sugar to balance the sourness of the mustard greens. If your mustard greens are very sour, you might want to add a little more sugar. If they are less sour, you can omit the sugar or reduce the amount, according to your preference. Cover the pan and continue cooking over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until the mustard greens are tender and the flavors have melded beautifully. This final cooking step allows the greens to soften completely and absorb the delicious sauce.
