Fragrant Perilla Leaf and Mussel Fritter: A Harmony of Chewy Mussels and Subtle Aroma
How to Make Perilla Leaf Fritters: Simple and Delicious Mussel Fritters with Perilla Leaves
Adding mussels to perilla leaf pancakes creates a perfect combination! This recipe introduces how to make a delicious mussel fritter that is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, loved by everyone. It’s perfect for special occasions or a simple homemade treat.
Main Ingredients- 120g Perilla leaves (separate stems and leaves)
- 250g Fresh mussels (cleaned and de-bearded)
- 60g Onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 Korean green chili peppers (sliced diagonally)
- Vegetable oil, for frying (generous amount)
Batter Ingredients- 2 cups Pancake mix
- 1 and 2/3 cups Cold water
- 1 Egg
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 2 cups Pancake mix
- 1 and 2/3 cups Cold water
- 1 Egg
- 1/2 tsp Salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the perilla leaves 2-3 times under running water, then drain them completely. Make sure to wash off any dirt or debris from the stems. Chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces. Preserving the fragrant aroma of the perilla leaves is key.
Step 2
Clean the fresh mussels by removing the tough beards. Carefully pick out any small stones or broken shell pieces. Then, shuck the mussels and finely mince the mussel meat. Minced meat will blend better into the batter for a tastier fritter.
Step 3
Thinly slice the onion. Slice the Korean green chili peppers diagonally to add a touch of spice and color. Having all your ingredients prepped makes the cooking process much smoother.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the batter, the heart of our delicious mussel fritter! In a bowl, combine the pancake mix, cold water, egg, and salt. Whisk until smooth and free of lumps. The batter should be neither too thick nor too thin, just well combined.
Step 5
Add the prepared perilla leaves to the batter and gently mix. Then, add the minced mussels, sliced onions, and chili peppers. Mix everything together gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed within the batter. Avoid overmixing; a gentle combination is best.
Step 6
Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, ladle portions of the batter onto the pan. Use the back of a spoon to spread the batter into a round shape. If there are any thin spots, carefully add a little more batter to fill them in. Aim for round, appealing shapes.
Step 7
As the fritter cooks and the bottom turns golden brown, gently flip it over. To ensure crispiness, add a little more oil around the edges of the pan if needed. Continue to cook until both sides are golden and crispy. Cooking over medium heat allows the inside to cook through without burning the outside.
Step 8
Once perfectly cooked, transfer the fragrant perilla leaf and mussel fritter to a serving plate. Enjoy it while it’s warm to fully appreciate the aroma of the perilla leaves and the chewy texture of the mussels. Serving with a side of soy-based dipping sauce will enhance the flavor even further.
