Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Squid with Korean Green Pepper
A Fiery and Delicious Recipe for Stir-fried Squid with Korean Green Pepper
A delightful combination of chewy and tender squid with spicy Korean green peppers! This dish becomes even more delicious when served with somen noodles and seasoned bean sprouts. (Referenced from Alto-ran recipe)
Main Ingredients- 2 cleaned squids (body and tentacles separated)
- 150g Korean green peppers (g Gori peppers)
- 1 large white green onion
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 onion (thinly sliced)
- 3 Tbsp cooking oil
Sauce- 3 Tbsp red pepper powder (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper paste (gochujang)
- 2 Tbsp rice syrup (jocheong) or corn syrup
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (saenggang-sul) or mirin
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp dried shrimp powder (optional)
- 2 pinches black pepper
For Stir-frying- 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce (for smoky flavor)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 3 Tbsp red pepper powder (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper paste (gochujang)
- 2 Tbsp rice syrup (jocheong) or corn syrup
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (saenggang-sul) or mirin
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp dried shrimp powder (optional)
- 2 pinches black pepper
For Stir-frying- 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce (for smoky flavor)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the Korean green peppers thoroughly under running water. Remove the stems and slice them diagonally in half. This cut allows the sauce to penetrate evenly, making them more flavorful.
Step 2
Peel the white green onion, then cut it in half lengthwise and then into 5cm pieces. Slice about 2-3 cloves of garlic thinly, and mince the rest. Using both sliced and minced garlic adds depth to the flavor.
Step 3
Slice the squid body into pieces about 0.7cm thick. Separate the tentacles and cut them as well. Slicing them too thinly can cause them to break apart when cooked, so aim for a moderate thickness for the best texture.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the delicious sauce! In a bowl, combine the red pepper powder, red pepper paste, rice syrup (or corn syrup), plum extract, cooking wine (or mirin), soy sauce, minced garlic, dried shrimp powder (if using), and black pepper. Mix thoroughly with a spoon until there are no lumps, ensuring the sauce is smooth. The rice syrup or plum extract adds sweetness and umami.
Step 5
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add 3 Tbsp of cooking oil. Add the sliced green onion and sliced garlic, then stir-fry for about 2 minutes until fragrant, creating a flavorful green onion and garlic oil. Be careful not to burn them.
Step 6
Once the aromatics are fragrant, add half (1/2) of the prepared sauce to the pan. Stir-fry together for about 1 minute and 30 seconds. This allows the sauce to meld with the oil, creating a flavorful base.
Step 7
Pour 1/2 Tbsp of soy sauce around the edges of the pan. This technique adds a smoky ‘wok hei’ flavor as the soy sauce slightly caramelizes. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds, ensuring it doesn’t stick too much.
Step 8
Add the sliced onion and the cut Korean green peppers to the pan. Stir-fry over high heat for about 3 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened but still retain some crispness. This preserves their delightful crunch.
Step 9
Now it’s time for the star ingredient – the squid! Add the squid to the pan and increase the heat to high. Stir-fry quickly for about 2 minutes. Overcooking squid can make it tough, so a fast stir-fry over high heat is key to keeping it tender.
Step 10
When the squid is about half cooked and has changed color, add the remaining sauce. Stir-fry for another 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, ensuring the sauce coats all the ingredients evenly. This is the final cooking stage.
Step 11
Just before turning off the heat, add 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds and 1 Tbsp of sesame oil. Give it a quick toss to create a glossy finish. The nutty aroma will further enhance the dish’s flavor.
Step 12
For an even more satisfying meal, serve this stir-fry with warm somen noodles or a refreshing seasoned bean sprout salad. The noodles or sprouts will help balance the spiciness of the dish. Enjoy your delicious feast!
