Crispy Anchovy Stir-fry with Nuts and Garlic
A Premium Side Dish That Stays Delicious: Anchovies, Garlic, and Walnuts for Enhanced Nutrition
We made a generous batch of this anchovy stir-fry as a calcium-boosting side dish! Enhance nutrition and health with walnuts and garlic! This recipe yields a delightful, slightly sweet and savory side that’s perfect for packed lunches or as a staple at the dinner table. The addition of nuts adds a lovely crunch and healthy fats, while garlic provides depth of flavor.
Main Ingredients- 200g anchovies (small)
- 10 cloves garlic
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1 green chili pepper
- 1 cup walnuts
Seasoning & Others- 1 Tbsp Mirin (cooking rice wine)
- 2 Tbsp Plum Extract (Maesil Cheong)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (brewing)
- 6 Tbsp Corn Syrup (Mulyeot)
- 1.5 Tbsp Honey
- 6 Tbsp Cooking Oil (total)
- Sesame seeds, to taste
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (cooking rice wine)
- 2 Tbsp Plum Extract (Maesil Cheong)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (brewing)
- 6 Tbsp Corn Syrup (Mulyeot)
- 1.5 Tbsp Honey
- 6 Tbsp Cooking Oil (total)
- Sesame seeds, to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the ingredients: anchovies, garlic, walnuts, red bell pepper, and green chili pepper. Prepping them according to the recipe will save you time during cooking.
Step 2
Place the anchovies in a fine-mesh sieve and gently shake to remove any powdery residue. This step ensures a cleaner taste and prevents bitterness when stir-frying.
Step 3
Slice the garlic thinly into rounds (about 0.3cm thick). Deseed the red bell pepper and slice it thinly into strips. Remove the seeds from the green chili pepper and slice it finely. Break the walnuts into bite-sized pieces with your hands; chopping them too finely might reduce the enjoyable texture.
Step 4
Heat 3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the prepared anchovies and stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes, or until they become fragrant and slightly crispy. Add another 2 tablespoons of cooking oil during this process to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking. Finally, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and continue to stir-fry, making the anchovies extra crispy and nutty.
Step 5
Push the stir-fried anchovies to one side of the pan. In the cleared space, add the sliced garlic. Stir-fry the garlic until it turns golden and aromatic, then mix it with the anchovies and continue to stir-fry together.
Step 6
Once the garlic loses its raw pungency and becomes fragrant, add the broken walnuts to the pan. Stir-fry everything together until the walnuts are lightly toasted and well combined with the anchovies and garlic.
Step 7
Now, add the red bell pepper for a splash of color and the green chili pepper for a hint of spice. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened but still retain some crispness.
Step 8
Gather the stir-fried ingredients to one side of the pan again. In the empty space, add 1 tablespoon of mirin, 2 tablespoons of plum extract, and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Let the sauce simmer briefly, then toss it with the rest of the ingredients, stirring and cooking until the sauce thickens and coats everything.
Step 9
Continue to stir and cook until the sauce is well distributed and coats all the ingredients evenly. The sauce should reduce slightly, giving the stir-fry a glossy finish. Keep the heat at medium-low to prevent burning.
Step 10
Turn off the heat and let the stir-fry cool down slightly in the pan for a few minutes. This prevents the anchovies from becoming soggy.
Step 11
Once slightly cooled, add 6 tablespoons of corn syrup and 1.5 tablespoons of honey to the stir-fry. Mix well until everything is coated and glossy. The syrup and honey will prevent the anchovies from sticking together and give them an appealing sheen.
Step 12
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and mix thoroughly. Transfer the finished anchovy stir-fry to an airtight container for storage. To maintain its texture over time, you can mix in a little more corn syrup or honey occasionally.
Step 13
Your nutrient-rich, healthy, and delicious Anchovy Stir-fry with Nuts and Garlic is ready! Enjoy it as a fantastic side dish with your meals or in your bento box.
