Stir-fried Sweet Potato Stems: A Delicious and Crunchy Seasonal Dish
Experience the Wonderful Texture! Healthy Side Dish Made with Seasonal Sweet Potato Stems. Learn How to Blanch and Prepare Sweet Potato Stems Perfectly.
Create a wonderfully crunchy and delicious stir-fried side dish using fresh, seasonal sweet potato stems. Their chewy texture and savory flavor are exceptional, making them a perfect accompaniment to any meal. From preparing the stems to mastering the seasoning blend, this recipe provides detailed, easy-to-follow instructions for beginners!
Main Ingredients
- 500g fresh sweet potato stems
- 1/2 medium onion
- 1/2 stalk green onion
- 1 Tbsp coarse salt (for blanching)
Seasoning
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or sand lance; can substitute with soup soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp regular soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp plum extract (sweetness adjustable)
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp ground toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or sand lance; can substitute with soup soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp regular soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp plum extract (sweetness adjustable)
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp ground toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Purchase 500g of fresh sweet potato stems from the market or grocery store. It’s important to choose stems that are tender rather than tough.
Step 2
Place the sweet potato stems in a large stainless steel bowl.
Step 3
In a pot, bring 1.2 liters of water to a boil over high heat, adding 1 tablespoon of coarse salt. The salt helps the water boil faster and removes any unwanted odors from the stems.
Step 4
Once the water is rapidly boiling, carefully pour the hot water over the sweet potato stems in the bowl. Ensure the stems are submerged, then gently toss them with a spatula to distribute the heat evenly. Let them sit for about 5 to 10 minutes to blanch.
Step 5
After 5 to 10 minutes, the sweet potato stems should have turned a vibrant green and become tender to the touch, indicating they are perfectly blanched. Rinse the blanched stems thoroughly under cold running water to cool them down.
Step 6
Now, it’s time to peel the sweet potato stems. Starting from the thinner, tender end of the stem, peel the tough outer layer towards the thicker end. This method allows you to peel long, continuous strips without breaking the stem, resulting in a much more pleasant texture.
Step 7
As you peel, cut the stems into bite-sized pieces. Typically, cutting them into lengths of about 5-7 cm makes them easy to eat after stir-frying.
Step 8
Wash and peel 1/2 medium onion, then slice it thinly into strips. The natural sweetness of the onion complements the sweet potato stems wonderfully.
Step 9
Wash and finely chop 1/2 stalk of green onion, using both the white and green parts. The fragrant aroma of the green onion will enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
Step 10
Add the peeled and cut sweet potato stems to a wok or a large frying pan.
Step 11
Now, let’s add the delicious seasonings. Mix in 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of regular soy sauce, 1/2 tablespoon of plum extract, 1 tablespoon of cooking wine, and 1 tablespoon of perilla oil. (You can use soup soy sauce instead of fish sauce, and adjust the amount of plum extract for sweetness.)
Step 12
Gently massage the seasonings into the sweet potato stems with your hands for about 1 to 2 minutes, ensuring the flavors are evenly distributed. This helps the ingredients absorb the seasoning well.
Step 13
Begin stir-frying the seasoned sweet potato stems. Start over high heat, then reduce to medium heat once the seasonings are incorporated and some moisture has evaporated. Stir-fry until the stems are tender but still retain a slight crunch – this is key to a great texture. Avoid overcooking, as they can become mushy.
Step 14
When the sweet potato stems are nearly cooked, add the thinly sliced onion and chopped green onion. Stir-fry them briefly with the stems. Sautéing them lightly keeps the vegetables crisp.
Step 15
Finally, add 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil and 1/2 tablespoon of ground toasted sesame seeds. Toss gently to combine everything. The sesame oil and seeds add a wonderful nutty aroma and flavor.
Step 16
Transfer the stir-fried sweet potato stems to a serving dish. Sprinkle with a bit more toasted sesame seeds, if desired, for garnish.
Step 17
Enjoy your perfectly crunchy and flavorful Stir-fried Sweet Potato Stems! It’s a delicious and healthy side dish.
