Fragrant Perilla Leaf and Anchovy Stir-fry
Simple Perilla Leaf and Anchovy Stir-fry: A Delicious Side Dish
I made a delicious stir-fry using perilla leaves, which are abundant these days. It’s a simple side dish that can be made quickly by stir-frying all ingredients together without pre-boiling or steaming the perilla leaves. The combination of savory anchovies and fragrant perilla leaves is sure to make you finish a bowl of rice in no time!
Main Ingredients
- 100g fresh perilla leaves (about one basketful)
- 15g cleaned dried anchovies (to remove fishiness)
- 1/2 medium onion
- 1/2 green onion (white part mainly)
- 1 cheongyang chili pepper (for a spicy kick)
Seasoning Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce (for umami)
- 1 Tbsp oligosaccharide (for shine and sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (for nutty aroma)
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds (for nutty flavor and texture)
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce (for umami)
- 1 Tbsp oligosaccharide (for shine and sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (for nutty aroma)
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds (for nutty flavor and texture)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
These are fresh perilla leaves, freshly picked from the garden! They come in various sizes, but 100g fills about one basket generously. You can already smell their fragrant aroma.
Step 2
Rinse the perilla leaves thoroughly multiple times under running water. This ensures any dirt or debris is removed. After washing, soak them in water with a little vinegar for about 5 minutes. This helps maintain their freshness and remove any residual pesticides. Finally, rinse again with cold water and drain them well.
Step 3
Once the perilla leaves are drained, chop them into bite-sized pieces. Slicing them into strips about 1 cm wide makes them easier to eat and helps them absorb the seasoning well. Avoid slicing them too thinly, as they might become mushy during stir-frying.
Step 4
Dried anchovies are key ingredients that add depth of flavor to this dish. Remove the heads and guts (the dark part) from the anchovies. If there are any remaining small bones, carefully remove them. This process helps reduce any fishy taste and results in a cleaner flavor. After preparation, microwave the anchovies for about 1 minute to eliminate any lingering fishiness. (Adjust the time based on your microwave’s power.)
Step 5
Prepare half a medium onion and slice it thinly into strips. The sweetness from the onion will enrich the overall flavor of the stir-fry.
Step 6
Take half a green onion and finely chop the white parts. The subtle aroma of the green onion will enhance the dish’s fragrance.
Step 7
Cut one cheongyang chili pepper in half, remove the seeds if you prefer less heat, and then slice it thinly. If you enjoy spicy food, you can leave the seeds in! The slight heat will cut through any richness in the perilla leaf and anchovy stir-fry.
Step 8
Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onion, minced garlic (1 Tbsp), and chopped green onion. Stir-fry them together until the onions become translucent and release their sweet aroma. Sautéing the aromatics well is important for building flavor.
Step 9
Once the onions are nicely sautéed and have released their sweetness, add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and continue to stir-fry. The soy sauce will caramelize slightly, adding more depth of flavor.
Step 10
Now it’s time to add the prepared dried anchovies and the sliced perilla leaves to the pan. Stir-fry them gently until the perilla leaves just begin to wilt. Avoid overcooking the perilla leaves, as they can become tough. They only need to wilt slightly to maintain a tender texture.
Step 11
Add the sliced cheongyang chili pepper and 1 tablespoon of oligosaccharide for sweetness and a glossy finish. Mix everything gently to combine.
Step 12
Finally, sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for a nutty aroma and 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.
Step 13
Stir-fry everything together gently for a final mix. Keep the heat low to ensure the seasoning coats all the ingredients evenly without burning.
Step 14
Your delicious perilla leaf and anchovy stir-fry is complete! Serve it over warm rice for a delightful meal.
