Tender Stir-Fried Garlic Scapes in Savory Soy Sauce
Homemade Side Dish: Garlic Scape Soy Sauce Stir-Fry Recipe | Delicious and Nutritious Garlic Scape Meal
Garlic scapes, the flower stems of garlic, are packed with the rich nutrients of garlic. They are delicious when cooked until tender in a stir-fry, and also offer a delightful crunch when pickled. Like garlic, they contain abundant allicin, which helps lower blood cholesterol levels and prevent arteriosclerosis. They are also rich in vitamins, potassium, calcium, and other minerals, along with protein and dietary fiber. Gently blanched and then simmered in a sweet and savory soy sauce mixture, they make an excellent side dish for any meal. This dish brings back nostalgic memories of my mother preparing it often. Let me guide you step-by-step through making this tender and flavorful garlic scape stir-fry, packed with nutrients from fresh spring garlic scapes.
Main Ingredients
- Garlic Scapes 300g
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin with a bunch of fresh, long garlic scapes. Trim off any wilted or yellowed ends. Don’t worry if some parts are yellowed from sun exposure; this doesn’t mean they’re spoiled, just trim those parts before cooking. Longer garlic scapes tend to be more tender and are generally considered higher quality.
Step 2
To thoroughly clean the scapes, place them in a bowl filled with enough water to cover them (about 1L) along with 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Let them soak for about 10 minutes, then rinse them under running water.
Step 3
Arrange the washed garlic scapes neatly and trim about 1cm off the very ends. Then, cut them into manageable lengths of about 5-6cm, suitable for stir-frying. This size ensures they cook evenly and are easy to eat.
Step 4
This part here is the flower bud of the garlic scape. If you’re using fresh, domestic garlic scapes from the season, this bud is tender and delicious, so don’t discard it! It adds a wonderful texture to the dish.
Step 5
Bring 1 liter of water to a rolling boil in a pot over high heat. Once boiling, add 1 tablespoon of salt. Adding salt helps maintain the vibrant green color of the scapes and also helps to mellow their pungent flavor.
Step 6
Carefully add the cut garlic scapes to the boiling water and blanch for exactly 1 minute. Blanching for this short duration will keep them slightly crisp with a pleasant mild pungency, while also tenderizing them. Immediately after blanching, rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool them down. Avoid over-blanching, as they can become too soft.
Step 7
Now, let’s prepare the delicious stir-fry sauce. In a bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1.5 tablespoons of corn syrup (or honey), 0.5 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of mirin, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, and 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds. These ingredients will create a wonderfully balanced flavor.
Step 8
Add 3 tablespoons of water to the prepared sauce mixture. This addition helps to create a nicely simmering sauce that isn’t too concentrated. Stir everything together until well combined, then pour it into the pot and bring it to a simmer to let the flavors meld.
Step 9
Once the sauce is simmering, add all the blanched garlic scapes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir occasionally as the sauce thickens and coats the scapes evenly. Continue to cook until most of the sauce has been absorbed and the scapes are glossy. This completes your delicious garlic scape soy sauce stir-fry! Serve this as a delightful side dish. The slightly pungent, crisp texture of garlic scapes makes them versatile for stir-fries, pickles, and more. This particular soy sauce version, with its sweet and savory profile, is also a hit with children. Enjoy making this wonderfully tender and flavorful garlic scape side dish, perfect for everyone!
