Savory Stir-Fried Garlic Scapes with Ham
Seasonal Delight: Delicious Stir-Fried Garlic Scapes with Ham
It’s the season for crisp and fragrant local garlic scapes! While most are imported, seeing fresh domestic ones made me excited to create this delicious stir-fry with ham. It’s a fantastic side dish that everyone, young and old, will love.
Ingredients
- 400g Korean garlic scapes
- 200g Spam or your favorite ham
- 1 Tbsp oligo syrup (or honey)
- 1 tsp salt (or 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce)
- 3 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the fresh garlic scapes thoroughly under running water. Pat them dry and then cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 5cm long. Cutting them too long can be inconvenient when stir-frying.
Step 2
After cutting, the garlic scapes should weigh approximately 400g. (This is for confirming the ingredient quantity.)
Step 3
Bring a pot of water to a boil and add 1 tsp of salt. Once boiling, add the prepared garlic scapes and blanch for just 30 seconds. Be careful not to overcook, as it will lose its crispness! Immediately rinse the blanched garlic scapes under cold water, drain them, and set aside.
Step 4
Cut the ham into pieces similar in size to the garlic scapes, about 5cm long. If using canned ham, briefly blanching it in boiling water can help remove excess oil for a cleaner taste.
Step 5
Heat 2 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the blanched and drained garlic scapes and stir-fry for about 1 minute to slightly soften them and release their fragrance. Season with 1 tsp of salt at this stage. (You can substitute with soy sauce based on your preference.)
Step 6
Transfer the stir-fried garlic scapes to a separate bowl and let them cool slightly. Stir-frying them separately helps maintain their crisp texture for longer.
Step 7
Wipe the pan clean or add another 1 Tbsp of cooking oil if needed. Add the sliced ham and stir-fry until golden brown. Once the ham is lightly browned, add 1 Tbsp of oligo syrup and stir-fry until it becomes slightly caramelized and glossy. The oligo syrup will enhance the ham’s savory and sweet notes.
Step 8
Add the blanched garlic scapes, which were set aside earlier, to the pan with the stir-fried ham. Gently toss everything together until well combined. Avoid stir-frying for too long, as this can make the garlic scapes mushy. Quick mixing is key.
Step 9
Finally, sprinkle 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds over the dish for a nutty aroma and an appealing look. This adds a wonderful finishing touch.
Step 10
Your delicious stir-fried garlic scapes and ham are ready in no time! The sweetness of the ham and the slight pungency of the garlic scapes create a perfect sweet and savory balance. It’s excellent as a side dish for rice or even as a snack with drinks! Enjoy the crisp texture and rich flavors.
