Stir-fried Garlic Scapes
Savory and Nutty Stir-fried Garlic Scapes with Oyster Sauce & Almonds! A Delicious Side Dish
This is a savory and nutty stir-fried garlic scape dish, enhanced with the richness of almonds and the depth of oyster sauce. It’s a fantastic side dish for any meal and even great for kids’ lunchboxes. Enjoy this simple yet incredibly delicious recipe!
Main Ingredients- 1 bunch garlic scapes (approx. 200-250g)
- 1 handful almonds (sliced or whole, approx. 30-40g)
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Seasoning Ingredients- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine or sake (to remove gamey odor and enhance flavor)
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce (for umami)
- 1 Tbsp oligosaccharide or corn syrup (for shine and sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp honey (for subtle sweetness and depth)
- 2 Tbsp perilla oil or sesame oil (for nutty aroma and finishing touch)
- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine or sake (to remove gamey odor and enhance flavor)
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce (for umami)
- 1 Tbsp oligosaccharide or corn syrup (for shine and sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp honey (for subtle sweetness and depth)
- 2 Tbsp perilla oil or sesame oil (for nutty aroma and finishing touch)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the bunch of garlic scapes thoroughly. Pat them dry and cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 4-5 cm long. Cutting them to a manageable size will make stir-frying easier.
Step 2
Bring a pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt (about 1/2 tsp). Blanch the garlic scapes for about 40 seconds. This step helps maintain their crisp texture while removing any raw, pungent flavor.
Step 3
Immediately drain the blanched garlic scapes and rinse them under cold running water. This chilling process locks in their vibrant green color and ensures a crisp, refreshing texture.
Step 4
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce (1.5 Tbsp), cooking wine (1 Tbsp), oyster sauce (1 Tbsp), oligosaccharide (1 Tbsp), and honey (1 Tbsp). Having the sauce ready beforehand will make the stir-frying process much smoother.
Step 5
Heat a pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the prepared sauce and bring it to a gentle simmer. Add the drained garlic scapes and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, ensuring they are evenly coated with the sauce. Be careful not to burn the sauce.
Step 6
When the garlic scapes are slightly tender, add the almonds to the pan. Continue to stir-fry for another minute until the almonds are lightly toasted and fragrant. Keep the heat on medium-low to prevent the almonds from burning.
Step 7
Just before removing from heat, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the dish and give it a final toss. If you wish, you can drizzle a little perilla oil or sesame oil at this stage for an extra layer of nutty aroma.
Step 8
Your savory and nutty stir-fried garlic scapes are ready! The addition of almonds adds a wonderful depth of flavor. If serving to children, adjust the sweetness and soy sauce levels to their preference, and omit any spicy elements. Enjoy your delicious homemade side dish!
