Chewy Squid and Tender Eggplant Stir-fry: A Delicious Combination
How to Make Eggplant and Squid Stir-fry with Great Texture
A delightful meeting of chewy squid and ‘black food’ eggplant, this stir-fry is packed with texture and nutrients. It’s a perfect blend of flavors that everyone can enjoy.
Main Ingredients- 1/2 eggplant
- 1 squid
- 1/2 carrot
- 1/2 onion
- 1/2 bunch chives
- 30g cabbage
- 1/3 pack enoki mushrooms
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Get ready to create a fantastic collaboration between nutrient-rich eggplant and delicious squid! This eggplant and squid stir-fry is so good that even children pick out the eggplant to eat. It’s a truly wonderful dish!
Step 2
First, let’s prepare all the ingredients. Slice the eggplant, carrot, onion, and cabbage into bite-sized pieces, similar in size to the squid. Clean the enoki mushrooms by trimming the base and rinsing them gently. Cut the squid into similar bite-sized pieces. Lightly season the cut squid with a little soy sauce and black pepper. This initial seasoning helps to remove any fishy odors and enhance the squid’s flavor.
Step 3
Now, let’s mix all the seasoning ingredients together to create a flavorful sauce. In a bowl, combine 3 tsp gochujang, 1 tsp gochugaru, 1 tsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp sugar. Mix well until the sauce is smooth. Once the sauce is ready, add the seasoned squid and all the sliced vegetables (eggplant, carrot, onion, cabbage) to the bowl. Gently mix and ‘massage’ the ingredients with the sauce, as if you’re making a ‘jumeokbap’ (Korean rice ball) filling. Ensuring the sauce coats everything evenly is key.
Step 4
Add 1 tsp of dried shiitake mushroom powder for an extra boost of umami. This ingredient is a natural flavor enhancer that I’ve been adding to my dishes frequently lately for its wonderful taste. Once everything is well combined, it’s time to stir-fry! Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add the seasoned mixture. Stir-fry quickly for a few minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender but still retain some crunch. Add the chives and enoki mushrooms in the last minute of cooking and stir-fry briefly. It’s really that simple!
Step 5
And there you have it! Your delicious eggplant and squid stir-fry is ready. The combination of chewy squid, tender eggplant, crisp vegetables, and the savory-sweet, slightly spicy sauce is truly delightful. This dish is perfect as a side for rice or even as a tasty snack. Enjoy!
