Savory Crab Stick and Perilla Leaf Fritters: A Quick & Delicious Recipe
Easy Home Cooking, Perfect Side Dish, Snack, or Appetizer: How to Make Crab Stick and Perilla Leaf Fritters
Experience the delightful harmony of fragrant perilla leaves and savory, tender crab sticks in these exquisite fritters. They are so irresistibly delicious that you won’t be able to stop after just one bite! This recipe is a must-try for its ease of preparation and its wonderfully addictive flavor.
Main Ingredients- 15 fresh perilla leaves
- 5 imitation crab sticks (surimi)
- 1 red chili pepper (for color and a hint of spice)
- A little cooking oil (for frying)
Batter Ingredients- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup tempura flour (for crispiness)
- 1 pinch of salt
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil (for flavor)
- 1 Tbsp dried shrimp powder (optional, for enhanced umami)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup tempura flour (for crispiness)
- 1 pinch of salt
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil (for flavor)
- 1 Tbsp dried shrimp powder (optional, for enhanced umami)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all your ingredients: the perilla leaves, imitation crab sticks, red chili pepper, and all the batter components. Fresh ingredients are key to the best flavor!
Step 2
Wash the perilla leaves thoroughly under running water. Trim off the stems and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Then, thinly julienne the perilla leaves; this will help them absorb flavor and achieve a pleasant texture.
Step 3
Gently shred the imitation crab sticks lengthwise into strands. Avoid mashing them too finely; keeping some texture will be more enjoyable. Finely chop the red chili pepper, removing the seeds, for a pop of color and a subtle kick.
Step 4
In a large bowl, combine the julienned perilla leaves, shredded crab sticks, and chopped red chili pepper. You’re now ready to mix everything into a delicious batter.
Step 5
Crack the egg into the same bowl. Add the tempura flour (about 1/2 cup) for a crispy coating. Incorporate the sesame oil (about 0.5 Tbsp) for added fragrance, the dried shrimp powder (1 Tbsp) for a deeper umami flavor (this is optional but recommended), and a pinch of salt to season.
Step 6
Using a spatula or spoon, gently mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Ensure the perilla leaves and crab sticks are evenly coated with the batter. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the perilla leaves watery. This creates your perfect fritter batter.
Step 7
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Once the pan is hot, scoop about a ladleful of batter and place it onto the hot oil. Gently spread the batter with the back of the ladle to form a round, flat shape.
Step 8
Once the bottom side is golden brown and crispy, carefully flip the fritter using a spatula. Cook the other side until it’s also a beautiful golden brown. Continue flipping as needed to ensure even cooking. Your delicious crab stick and perilla leaf fritters are ready to be enjoyed hot!
