Spicy & Sweet Anchovy Stir-Fry: A Rice-Stealing Recipe!
How to Use Spicy Peppers; Spicy Pepper and Anchovy Stir-Fry
Got a surplus of very spicy peppers that you don’t know what to do with? Worry no more! This recipe masterfully incorporates finely chopped spicy peppers into a delicious anchovy stir-fry, creating a subtle heat that’s perfect for pairing with rice. Just a spoonful mixed into your warm rice, and you’ll find a whole bowl disappearing in no time! It’s a truly addictive dish that makes you crave more. Enjoy this flavor-packed side dish that transforms simple ingredients into a culinary delight.
Main Ingredients- 5 very spicy peppers
- 2 handfuls of small dried anchovies (approx. 30-40g)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start making a delicious anchovy stir-fry using spicy peppers! We’re excited about the combination of fresh peppers from the garden and crispy anchovies.
Step 2
Prepare the star ingredient: the very spicy peppers. You can remove the seeds if you prefer a milder heat, but keeping them will give you a more intensely spicy flavor. Tasting them, they are indeed very hot, but this spiciness will enhance the flavor of the anchovy stir-fry. Let’s make a special spicy pepper and anchovy stir-fry!
Step 3
Remove the stems from the peppers and mince them very finely using a knife or a food processor. The smaller the pepper pieces, the better they will blend with the anchovies, making the spiciness less intense and more subtle. When handling spicy peppers, it’s recommended to ventilate the area or wear gloves.
Step 4
Heat 3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Then, turn up the heat to high and stir-fry the finely minced spicy peppers together with the garlic. You’ll notice the pungent aroma of the peppers rising.
Step 5
Once the spicy aroma from the peppers is prominent, reduce the heat to medium. Add the two handfuls of small dried anchovies to the pan. Stir gently with a spatula to prevent the anchovies from burning, and stir-fry until they release a nutty aroma and become slightly crisp. Stir-frying the anchovies removes any fishy smell and makes them more flavorful.
Step 6
Now it’s time to add the seasonings. Pour in 4 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of anchovy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Stir-fry quickly to coat the anchovies and peppers evenly with the sauce, ensuring it doesn’t burn over medium heat. After turning off the heat, add 2 tablespoons of corn syrup and mix well with the residual heat. Corn syrup adds a nice gloss and slightly mellows the spiciness.
Step 7
Finally, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil to add a rich aroma. Adding sesame oil at the very end preserves its delicate, nutty fragrance.
Step 8
Sprinkle generously with 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds. Mix everything thoroughly with a spoon for a perfectly seasoned anchovy and pepper stir-fry. The glossy sheen and appetizing color are sure to whet your appetite!
Step 9
This anchovy and pepper stir-fry, though seemingly simple, offers a unique charm with its subtly spicy and savory flavor profile, as the heat from the peppers infuses into the anchovies. It truly is a ‘rice-stealing’ dish when mixed into hot rice – you won’t be able to stop eating! Served in a bowl, it becomes a satisfying side dish that the whole family will love. Be warned: once you start, you might not be able to stop and could end up finishing a whole pot of rice!
