Tender and Fragrant Stir-fried Perilla Leaves
Super Easy Side Dish: Fragrant Perilla Leaves Stir-fry?
I made a super simple side dish by stir-frying the perilla leaves gifted by an acquaintance, which can also be used for dried seasoned vegetables. This dish offers a wonderful fragrance and a soft texture that will stimulate your appetite.
Main Ingredients
- 2 handfuls of blanched perilla leaves (approx. 200g)
Seasoning
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (for seasoned dishes)
- 2 Tbsp Tuna Extract (or Soup Soy Sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Perilla Oil
- A pinch of Sesame Seeds
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (for seasoned dishes)
- 2 Tbsp Tuna Extract (or Soup Soy Sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Perilla Oil
- A pinch of Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the perilla leaves for a delicious stir-fry. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the prepared perilla leaves and blanch them for just about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Be careful not to over-blanch, as they can become mushy.
Step 2
Immediately rinse the blanched perilla leaves under cold running water several times to cool them down. Drain them thoroughly in a colander, squeezing out as much excess water as possible with your hands. Removing excess water is key to preventing a watery stir-fry and ensuring the seasoning adheres well.
Step 3
Place the squeezed perilla leaves in a bowl or pan. Add 2 Tbsp of soy sauce (for seasoned dishes), 2 Tbsp of tuna extract (or soup soy sauce), 1 Tbsp of minced garlic, and 2 Tbsp of perilla oil. Gently mix and massage the ingredients with your hands to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed. Then, add about 1 cup (200ml) of water and stir-fry over medium heat, covered, allowing it to simmer and cook.
Step 4
Initially, there will be some liquid, but it will reduce as it cooks. Instead of stir-frying until completely dry, it’s often tastier to leave a little bit of the sauce. This makes the perilla leaves much softer and moister. Cook until it reaches your desired consistency, then turn off the heat.
Step 5
Transfer the finished stir-fried perilla leaves to a serving dish. Sprinkle generously with sesame seeds for an extra nutty flavor. Your fragrant and delicious stir-fried perilla leaves are now ready to be enjoyed with a warm bowl of rice!
