Savory Dried Shrimp and Garlic Scape Stir-Fry
Super Simple Side Dish: How to Make Dried Shrimp and Garlic Scape Stir-Fry
I absolutely love garlic scapes, and I recently bought quite a lot of dried shrimp. So, I decided to recreate a favorite side dish from my school days: Dried Shrimp and Garlic Scape Stir-Fry. It’s incredibly easy and delicious!
Ingredients- 1/2 bunch Garlic Scapes
- 1 bowlful Dried Shrimp
- 3.5 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 3 Tbsp Corn Syrup (or Oligosaccharide)
- 80 ml Water
- A drizzle of Sesame Oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, trim any wilted or damaged ends from the garlic scapes. This ensures a clean look and a better taste.
Step 2
Cut the trimmed garlic scapes into segments about 4-5 cm long. Cutting them into manageable pieces makes them easier to eat.
Step 3
In a small bowl, combine 3.5 tablespoons of soy sauce and 3 tablespoons of corn syrup. This mixture will form the base of your savory-sweet sauce.
Step 4
Add 80 ml of water to the bowl and stir well until the soy sauce and corn syrup are fully dissolved. Creating the sauce beforehand helps it to better coat the ingredients during cooking.
Step 5
Now, let’s prepare the dried shrimp. Heat a dry pan (no oil needed) over low heat.
Step 6
Add the dried shrimp to the warm pan and stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes until they turn slightly white and become fragrant. This step helps to remove any fishy smell and enhance their nutty flavor. Once toasted, set the dried shrimp aside temporarily.
Step 7
Rinse the cut garlic scapes under running water to remove any dirt or debris.
Step 8
(Optional Step) If you prefer a crisper texture, you can skip this blanching step. For a slightly softer texture, blanch the garlic scapes in boiling water for just 30-50 seconds. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become mushy.
Step 9
If you blanched the garlic scapes, immediately rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and help maintain their crispness.
Step 10
Drain the garlic scapes thoroughly. You can also gently pat them dry with paper towels to ensure excess moisture is removed. This prevents the stir-fry from becoming watery.
Step 11
It’s time to stir-fry! Reheat the pan over low heat and pour half of the prepared sauce into it.
Step 12
Once the sauce begins to simmer gently, add the prepared garlic scapes. Stir-fry, allowing the sauce to reduce and coat the garlic scapes. This simmering process is key to infusing flavor into the scapes.
Step 13
Garlic scapes can be a bit resistant to absorbing flavors, especially when stir-fried. That’s why simmering and allowing the sauce to reduce is so important for them to become truly flavorful.
Step 14
When the sauce has reduced by about half, add the remaining sauce. Continue to simmer and stir-fry until the sauce has almost completely evaporated, leaving a glaze on the scapes. Taste and, if needed, add a tiny bit more soy sauce to adjust the seasoning.
Step 15
When the sauce is very thick and almost gone, with just a hint of moisture at the bottom of the pan, add the toasted dried shrimp. If the pan seems too dry, you can add a tablespoon of water.
Step 16
Quickly stir-fry to combine the dried shrimp with the garlic scapes, ensuring the shrimp’s delicious umami coats everything evenly.
Step 17
Finally, drizzle a touch of sesame oil over the stir-fry. Turn off the heat and toss everything gently, using the residual heat to meld the flavors and add a wonderful aroma.
Step 18
Transfer the finished Dried Shrimp and Garlic Scape Stir-Fry to a serving plate. Enjoy this delightful and easy-to-make side dish with a bowl of warm rice!
