Delicious Stir-Fried Zucchini: A Perfect Side Dish
How to Make Delicious Stir-Fried Zucchini
A simple and flavorful recipe for stir-fried zucchini, enhanced with aromatic perilla oil and sesame oil, and sautéed garlic for a rich depth of flavor.
Main Ingredients
- 1 Zucchini
- 1/2 Onion
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the zucchini thoroughly. Cut it in half lengthwise, then slice into half-moon shapes about 0.5 cm thick. Slicing them to a moderate thickness will prevent them from becoming mushy during stir-frying.
Step 2
Place the sliced zucchini in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp of salt evenly over the zucchini and let it sit for 5 minutes to draw out moisture. This step makes the zucchini chewier and helps it absorb flavors better. After salting, rinse the zucchini gently under cold running water to remove excess salt, then squeeze out as much water as possible with your hands.
Step 3
Peel and wash the onion. Slice it into thin strips, similar in thickness to the zucchini slices. This ensures the onion cooks at a similar rate to the zucchini.
Step 4
Heat 1 Tbsp of perilla oil and 1 Tbsp of sesame oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add 1 Tbsp of minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic; sautéing it slowly releases its aroma and builds a flavorful base.
Step 5
Once the garlic is fragrant, add the squeezed zucchini and the sliced onion to the pan. Stir-fry over medium heat until the zucchini turns slightly translucent and the onion becomes softened.
Step 6
When the zucchini and onion are almost cooked, add 1 Tbsp of salted shrimp (for umami) and 3 Tbsp of perilla seed powder. Mix well to distribute the seasoning.
Step 7
Continue to stir-fry gently, tossing the ingredients to coat them evenly with the seasoning, for another 1-2 minutes until everything is well combined. Avoid letting it stick to the pan. Turn off the heat and serve. This dish is a wonderful accompaniment to rice!
