Crispy Anchovy Stir-Fry Rice Balls
Perfect Side Dish! Nutritious Rice Balls Made with Stir-Fried Anchovies, Onions, and Small Anchovies
These anchovy rice balls are made with ‘Se-se’ anchovies, perfect for preparing as a side dish. Simple yet nutritious, these rice balls are an excellent snack for children or a quick breakfast option. They’re packed with flavor and texture from anchovies, onions, celery, and walnuts.
Main Ingredients- Generous amount of Se-se anchovies (for stir-frying)
- 1/4 onion
- 3 sheets of dried seaweed (gim)
- 1/2 bowl of cooked rice
- 1/2 celery stalk
- Small amount of walnuts
Seasoning & Garnish- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1-2 Tbsp oligosaccharide or corn syrup (or 1-2 Tbsp sugar)
- 1 Tbsp mayonnaise
- A little sesame oil (for mixing with rice, optional)
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1-2 Tbsp oligosaccharide or corn syrup (or 1-2 Tbsp sugar)
- 1 Tbsp mayonnaise
- A little sesame oil (for mixing with rice, optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Adding onions when stir-frying anchovies enhances their sweetness and flavor, making them even more delicious. The resulting taste is much richer than just stir-fried anchovies alone.
Step 2
Thinly slice the onion. Prepare an appropriate amount of anchovies based on the size of your pan and how much you plan to cook. Using ‘Se-se’ anchovies, which have a bit more chew than very small ones, is recommended for a better texture.
Step 3
Heat a dry pan over medium heat and stir-fry the anchovies. This step removes any fishy smell and makes them crispy. Once the anchovies are lightly toasted, break the walnuts into bite-sized pieces by hand and add them to the pan to stir-fry together. The nutty flavor of the walnuts adds depth to the anchovy stir-fry.
Step 4
Now, add the sliced onions and a little cooking oil. It’s crucial to continuously stir-fry until the onions become translucent and the anchovies turn golden brown and crispy. Continue cooking until the onions are tender and release a delicious aroma. If the pan becomes too dry while cooking, add a little more oil, being careful not to burn the ingredients.
Step 5
Once the anchovies and onions are well-cooked, turn off the heat and sprinkle generously with sesame seeds. While still warm, add 1-2 tablespoons of oligosaccharide or corn syrup and mix quickly. If you are using sugar, it’s best to let the anchovy stir-fry cool completely before sprinkling 1-2 tablespoons of sugar and mixing. Adding sugar to hot ingredients can sometimes result in a bitter taste.
Step 6
Prepare the seaweed (gim) and celery for making the rice balls. Cut or crumble the seaweed into bite-sized pieces. Finely chop the celery.
Step 7
In warm cooked rice, add sesame seeds and, optionally, a little sesame oil. Mixing in sesame oil will make the rice even more fragrant. Gently mix the rice so as not to mash the grains.
Step 8
Using a rice ball mold or your hands, take a portion of the rice and flatten it into a disc. Place a generous amount of the stir-fried anchovies in the center, then cover with more rice and press firmly to form a round rice ball. Ensure the anchovy filling is packed well inside.
Step 9
In a small bowl, combine the chopped celery with 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise and mix well. Even without mayonnaise, the crunchy texture of celery is pleasant, but adding mayonnaise creates a creamy yet refreshing flavor that complements the anchovy rice balls. If you’re not a fan of celery’s distinct flavor, you can adjust the amount of mayonnaise or omit it.
Step 10
Top the rice balls filled with anchovies with the celery-mayonnaise mixture. Gently shape them, and your celery and anchovy rice balls are complete! You can also mix finely crumbled seaweed into the rice or coat the outside of the rice balls for added flavor. Enjoy a nutritious and satisfying meal with these delicious rice balls!
