Microwave Quick Side Dishes Set (Bean Sprout Salad, Eggplant Stir-fry, Anchovy Stir-fry)
Save Time! Make Your Own Special Side Dishes Instantly with the Microwave (Bean Sprout Salad, Eggplant Stir-fry, Anchovy Stir-fry)
Looking for a way to make delicious side dishes quickly, even on busy days? This recipe is a special method using only the microwave to complete three side dishes simultaneously: bean sprout salad, eggplant stir-fry, and anchovy stir-fry. It drastically reduces cooking time and is explained easily and in detail, making it accessible even for beginner cooks or those living alone. Let’s start making magical side dishes that offer both taste and convenience!
Bean Sprout Salad Ingredients- 1 handful fresh bean sprouts (approx. 100g)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, fine)
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp fish sauce (for broth)
- Salt to taste
- Sesame seeds, a pinch
- Sesame oil, a drizzle
Eggplant Stir-fry Ingredients- 1 fresh eggplant
- 1/2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- Sesame oil, a drizzle
- Sesame seeds, a pinch
Anchovy Stir-fry Ingredients- 40g dried anchovies (small)
- 30g sliced almonds
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp corn syrup (mulyeot)
- Sesame seeds, a pinch
- 1 fresh eggplant
- 1/2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- Sesame oil, a drizzle
- Sesame seeds, a pinch
Anchovy Stir-fry Ingredients- 40g dried anchovies (small)
- 30g sliced almonds
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp corn syrup (mulyeot)
- Sesame seeds, a pinch
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Before you begin cooking, prepare all your ingredients neatly.
Step 2
Making Bean Sprout Salad: Place the washed bean sprouts in a microwave-safe dish. Loosely cover with a lid or plastic wrap (or slightly open the vent if using a vented container) and microwave for 2 minutes. This allows the steam generated as the sprouts cook to escape, preventing them from becoming soggy and helping maintain their crispness.
Step 3
After microwaving, quickly rinse the cooked bean sprouts under cold water to cool them down. Drain any excess water. In a bowl, combine the rinsed bean sprouts with gochugaru, chopped green onion, minced garlic, fish sauce, salt, sesame seeds, and sesame oil. Gently mix with your hands, ensuring all ingredients are well distributed. Taste and adjust seasoning with a little more salt if needed. Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a delicious bean sprout salad.
Step 4
Your crisp and tasty bean sprout salad, made effortlessly in the microwave, is now ready! It’s a perfect side dish for any meal.
Step 5
Making Eggplant Stir-fry: Trim the stem end of the fresh eggplant, then cut it in half lengthwise. Slice each half into thin pieces, about 2mm thick, on an angle (bias cut). Place the sliced eggplant in a microwave-safe dish and microwave for 1 minute to pre-cook it. Lightly cooking the eggplant beforehand helps it absorb seasonings better and prevents it from releasing too much water during stir-frying.
Step 6
Add oyster sauce, minced garlic, sugar, chopped green onion, soy sauce, and sesame oil to the pre-cooked eggplant. Mix well to ensure the seasonings are evenly coated.
Step 7
Return the seasoned eggplant to the microwave and cook for another 1 minute. This will result in a chewy yet tender eggplant stir-fry. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for a final touch.
Step 8
Making Anchovy Stir-fry: Place the dried anchovies and sliced almonds in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave for 1 minute to remove any fishy smell and enhance their crispness. Slightly toasting the anchovies beforehand helps prevent them from becoming too hard and makes them extra crunchy.
Step 9
To the toasted anchovies and almonds, add sugar, minced garlic, corn syrup, and sesame seeds. Gently mix everything together, being careful not to break the anchovies, until the seasonings are well distributed.
Step 10
Microwave the seasoned anchovy mixture for another 1 minute to complete your delicious anchovy stir-fry! Tip: If you prefer a softer texture over a very crunchy one, reduce the corn syrup to 1 tablespoon and use sugar for the remaining sweetness. Enjoy your crunchy and savory anchovy stir-fry.
