Spicy & Numbing Mala Seafood Stir-fry Over Rice
#MalaSeafood #SpicyRiceBowl #HomeCookingRecipe
Introducing a rich and flavorful Mala Seafood Stir-fry Rice Bowl, harmoniously blending deep shiitake mushroom broth with a spicy mala sauce. This recipe utilizes frozen seafood and squid tentacles for a convenient yet abundant meal, with the savory notes of mushroom broth adding depth and complexity. Experience a delightful dish with a perfect balance of mouth-watering spiciness and numbing Sichuan pepper.
Ingredients- 1 cup frozen mixed seafood (shrimp, mussels, squid, etc.)
- 1 portion frozen squid tentacles
- 5 dried shiitake mushrooms
- 2 Tbsp chopped white part of green onion
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (or mirin)
- 3 Tbsp mala sauce
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1/2 onion
- 2 bell peppers (use various colors for visual appeal)
- 1 celery stalk
- 3 Tbsp cornstarch slurry (1.5 Tbsp cornstarch + 3 Tbsp water)
- 2 cups shiitake mushroom soaking water (for broth)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s create a flavorful base. Heat 1 Tbsp of chili powder in a pan over low heat to infuse chili oil. Then, add the chopped green onions, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Stir-fry gently until fragrant, being careful not to burn them. This step builds a deeper flavor profile with the aromatic essence of scallion oil, garlic, and ginger.
Step 2
Next, prepare the vegetables for the rice bowl. Feel free to use any vegetables you have on hand, but we’ve included celery for its aromatic quality. Slice the bell peppers, onion, cucumber, and celery into bite-sized pieces. Stir-frying the cucumber slightly brings out its natural sweetness and adds a pleasant crunch.
Step 3
To enrich the mala sauce, we need to prepare the shiitake mushroom broth. Soak 5 dried shiitake mushrooms in lukewarm water for about 30 minutes until fully rehydrated. Soaking them beforehand can save you time during prep. Once softened, squeeze out excess water, slice the mushrooms, and strain the soaking liquid to use as a clear broth. Don’t discard this flavorful liquid!
Step 4
Thaw the frozen mixed seafood and squid tentacles by placing them in cold water. This method helps preserve their freshness. We’ll be using only the tentacles for this recipe.
Step 5
Now, add the rehydrated shiitake mushrooms to the aromatic base made with chili oil and scallions. Sauté them to release their umami flavor into the oil. Alternatively, you can stir-fry all the ingredients together at once if you prefer.
Step 6
Add the remaining prepared vegetables to the pan and stir-fry them. Stir-frying cucumber brings out its subtle sweetness and satisfying crunch, similar to how it’s used in some Chinese sweet and sour dishes.
Step 7
Once the vegetables are partially cooked, add the thawed mixed seafood and squid tentacles. Stir-fry quickly to ensure the seafood is cooked through without becoming tough or rubbery.
Step 8
Now for the star of the show: add 3 Tbsp of mala sauce and stir well to coat all the ingredients evenly. To eliminate any potential fishiness from the seafood and enhance the flavor, add 1 Tbsp of cooking wine (or mirin) and stir-fry briefly. Ensure the spicy and numbing mala sauce flavors are well-infused into the seafood and vegetables.
Step 9
After stir-frying, pour in the 2 cups of prepared shiitake mushroom broth and bring it to a simmer. This broth will add a rich, savory depth to the overall dish.
Step 10
While the mala sauce usually provides enough seasoning, if you find it needs a little more, you can add about 1/2 Tbsp of oyster sauce or a dash of Chinese soy sauce to adjust the taste to your preference.
Step 11
Once the mixture is boiling vigorously, gradually add the cornstarch slurry (1.5 Tbsp cornstarch + 3 Tbsp water) while stirring. Continue adding until you reach a thick, gravy-like consistency. Remove from heat immediately once the desired thickness is achieved. Be careful not to overcook, as it can become too stiff.
Step 12
Serve the rich, spicy, and numbing mala seafood stir-fry generously over a bowl of hot steamed rice. You’ll have an impressive homemade Mala Seafood Stir-fry Rice Bowl ready to enjoy! The aromatic and spicy fragrance is sure to whet your appetite.
