Altoran Chef Kim Hajin’s Chewy Stir-Fried Gourd Recipe
Chewy Stir-Fried Gourd Made with Freshly Harvested Garden Vegetables
Introducing a recipe for chewy and delicious stir-fried gourd, featuring the secrets of Altoran Chef Kim Hajin, made with fresh gourds grown right in my brother-in-law’s garden. It’s the perfect side dish that will make you eat more rice!
Stir-Fried Gourd Ingredients- 2 Gourds (Nogaek)
- 1 Tbsp Salt (for salting)
- 3 Tbsp Corn Syrup
- 1 Green Chili Pepper
- 1 Red Chili Pepper
- 2 Tbsp Minced Green Onion
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 200g Beef
Beef Seasoning Ingredients- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Minced Green Onion
- 2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 2 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
Spicy and Sweet Seasoned Gourd Ingredients (Side Dish)- 2 portions of prepared gourd
- 2 Tbsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 2 Tbsp Red Pepper Paste (Gochujang)
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 3 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 2 Tbsp Double-Concentration Vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 4 Tbsp Minced Green Onion
- 1 Tbsp Flower Salt (fine sea salt)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Minced Green Onion
- 2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 2 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
Spicy and Sweet Seasoned Gourd Ingredients (Side Dish)- 2 portions of prepared gourd
- 2 Tbsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 2 Tbsp Red Pepper Paste (Gochujang)
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 3 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 2 Tbsp Double-Concentration Vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 4 Tbsp Minced Green Onion
- 1 Tbsp Flower Salt (fine sea salt)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Remove the bitter ends of the fresh gourds. Using a peeler, carefully peel the skin thinly. Then, use a spoon to gently scrape out and discard the seeds.
Step 2
Slice the prepared gourds into bite-sized pieces (about 0.5cm thick half-moons). Place them in a bowl, add 1 tablespoon of salt and 3 tablespoons of corn syrup, toss to coat evenly, and let them sit for 40 minutes to salt. This process draws out moisture and enhances their chewy texture.
Step 3
Once the gourds are salted, place them in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Squeeze firmly with your hands to wring out as much liquid as possible. This prevents the stir-fry from becoming watery and ensures a chewier result.
Step 4
Remove the seeds from the green and red chili peppers and thinly slice them into julienne strips. Finely mince the green onions.
Step 5
Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add the drained gourds and stir-fry until they begin to look slightly translucent. Then, add the sliced chili peppers, minced green onions, and minced garlic, and stir-fry until fragrant. Transfer the stir-fried gourds to a separate bowl to cool slightly.
Step 6
Thinly slice the beef. In another bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 2 tablespoons of minced green onion, 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, and 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds. Mix well and gently knead the beef to marinate it.
Step 7
Let the marinated beef sit for a moment to absorb the flavors. Then, in the same heated frying pan, stir-fry the beef until fully cooked. Once cooked, turn off the heat and let it cool.
Step 8
In a large bowl, combine the stir-fried beef and the cooled gourds. Season with salt to taste, then drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Gently mix everything together. Your chewy and delicious stir-fried gourd is ready! Enjoy it with your rice.
