Spring Delight: Fragrant Sautéed Aralia Shoots Recipe
Enjoy the Charming Flavor of Aralia Shoots: Aralia Shoot Stir-fry and Steamed Aralia Shoot Recipe
Craving a unique way to enjoy spring’s star ingredient, aralia shoots? While blanched or pan-fried aralia shoots are delicious, today we’re introducing a ‘Steamed and Seasoned Aralia Shoot’ recipe, inspired by the popular steamed Korean chili peppers. We’ll lightly steam fresh, tender aralia shoots to preserve their delicate texture and inherent aroma, then toss them in a savory seasoning sauce. This dish is guaranteed to awaken your appetite, especially on days when you feel sluggish. It’s perfect as an impressive dish for guests or simply as a refreshing spring side. We’ll guide you through every step, from cleaning and blanching the shoots to making the irresistible sauce. Make the most of this season’s bounty!
Main Ingredients- Fresh Aralia Shoots: 180g
- Flour or Sweet Rice Flour: 2 Tbsp (for coating)
Seasoning Sauce Ingredients- Minced Scallions: 2 Tbsp
- Vinegar: 1 Tbsp
- Tuna Extract: 1 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce: 1 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic: 1 tsp
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: 0.5 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide: 0.7 Tbsp (adjust sweetness to taste)
- Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes): 1 tsp
- Sesame Oil: 1 Tbsp
- Minced Scallions: 2 Tbsp
- Vinegar: 1 Tbsp
- Tuna Extract: 1 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce: 1 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic: 1 tsp
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: 0.5 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide: 0.7 Tbsp (adjust sweetness to taste)
- Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes): 1 tsp
- Sesame Oil: 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
**Step 1: Prepare and Wash the Aralia Shoots**
Begin by trimming the tough outer layer from the base of your fresh, tender aralia shoots. Gently scrape off any thorns using the back of a knife. Rinse the shoots thoroughly under running water, holding the base and shaking gently to remove any dirt or debris. Next, soak the shoots in a bowl of water mixed with 1 tablespoon of vinegar for 3-5 minutes. This helps to sterilize them and mellows the slightly bitter taste characteristic of aralia shoots. Drain them completely afterwards.
Step 2
**Step 2: Coat the Aralia Shoots with Flour**
Place the drained aralia shoots into a resealable plastic bag. Add 2 tablespoons of flour or sweet rice flour. Seal the bag tightly, leaving some air inside to puff it up. Shake the bag vigorously or gently knead it to ensure the shoots are evenly coated with a thin layer of flour. Using sweet rice flour will result in a slightly chewier texture.
Step 3
**Step 3: Steam the Aralia Shoots**
Add about 2 cups (400ml) of water to a steamer. Place a silicone steamer liner or a damp cloth over your steamer basket and arrange the floured aralia shoots neatly. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once steaming, add the aralia shoots, cover with the lid, and steam over high heat for approximately 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, resist the urge to open the lid immediately. Let them steam for an additional 2 minutes to allow residual heat to finish cooking them through, ensuring they are tender.
Step 4
**Step 4: Make the Flavorful Seasoning Sauce (Part 1)**
While the aralia shoots are steaming, prepare the delicious seasoning sauce. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of tuna extract and 1 teaspoon of minced garlic. Add 0.5 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds.
Step 5
**Step 5: Make the Flavorful Seasoning Sauce (Part 2)**
Next, add 0.7 tablespoon of oligosaccharide (you can adjust this to your preferred sweetness), 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes). Mix these ingredients together well.
Step 6
**Step 6: Make the Flavorful Seasoning Sauce (Part 3)**
Finally, stir in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Whisk everything together until well combined. Add 2 tablespoons of minced scallions and give it a gentle mix. Your delicious seasoning sauce for the aralia shoots is now ready! If needed, you can add a pinch of salt to adjust the seasoning.
Step 7
**Step 7: Toss the Aralia Shoots with Seasoning**
Carefully add the steamed and slightly cooled aralia shoots to the prepared seasoning sauce. Gently toss them to ensure they are evenly coated without breaking the delicate shoots. The fragrant aroma of the aralia shoots will beautifully meld with the savory sauce, creating an irresistible dish.
Step 8
**Step 8: Plating and Serving**
Arrange the well-seasoned aralia shoots attractively on a serving plate. Sprinkle a little extra toasted sesame seeds on top for added flavor and visual appeal. Your delightful spring side dish, the fragrant aralia shoot stir-fry, is now ready to be enjoyed!
Step 9
**Step 9: Tasting Notes and Tips**
While blanched or pan-fried aralia shoots are enjoyable, steaming them and then dressing them with this sauce offers a wonderfully tender texture and enhanced flavor. This is a recipe I’ll be making frequently whenever aralia shoots are in season. The unique aroma and pleasant chewiness of the shoots make it incredibly moreish.
Step 10
**Step 10: Comparison with Steamed Korean Chili Peppers**
This recipe was inspired by the popular dish, steamed Korean chili peppers. The resulting steamed and seasoned aralia shoots are just as sophisticated and delicious, making it an excellent choice for special occasions or when entertaining guests. Experience the delightful taste of spring with this special dish!
