Tender and Nutty Stir-Fried Anchovies with Perilla Oil
Make Deliciously Moist Stir-Fried Anchovies with Plenty of Perilla Oil
This is a recipe for stir-fried anchovies cooked with plenty of perilla oil until moist and tender. It stays soft even when refrigerated, preventing it from becoming hard.
Main Ingredients- 80g small anchovies (about 2 Korean paper cups)
- Generous amount of mixed nuts (about 60g, e.g., peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds)
Seasoning Ingredients- 4 Tbsp perilla oil
- 4 Tbsp corn syrup
- 0.5 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp plum extract
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin, etc.)
- 0.2 tsp soy sauce (a very small amount)
- 4 Tbsp perilla oil
- 4 Tbsp corn syrup
- 0.5 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp plum extract
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin, etc.)
- 0.2 tsp soy sauce (a very small amount)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The 80g of small anchovies is approximately 2 Korean paper cups or roughly one bowl when filled with a standard Korean ceramic rice bowl.
Step 2
Place the prepared anchovies in a fine-mesh sieve and gently shake to remove any powder or small bones. This step ensures a clean and pleasant taste when stir-fried.
Step 3
In a bowl, combine your chosen mixed nuts (peanuts, sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc.). Heat a dry pan over low heat, add the nuts, and stir continuously until they become fragrant and toasty, being careful not to burn them. Today, we’re using a generous 60g of nuts for the 80g of anchovies to enhance the nutty flavor.
Step 4
Transfer the toasted nuts to a separate plate to cool slightly. This helps maintain their crispness in the final dish.
Step 5
In a stir-fry pan, combine all the seasoning ingredients: 4 Tbsp perilla oil, 4 Tbsp corn syrup, 0.5 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp plum extract, 1 tsp sugar, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, and 0.2 tsp soy sauce. Use only a tiny amount of soy sauce to add umami without making the dish too salty. Heat over high heat until the sauce comes to a rolling boil.
Step 6
Once the sauce starts boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low. Then, add the prepared anchovies and toasted nuts to the pan. It’s crucial to lower the heat at this stage to prevent the sauce from burning.
Step 7
Continue to stir-fry over low heat, using a spatula or chopsticks, ensuring the anchovies and nuts are evenly coated with the sauce. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until the anchovies are glistening and tender but not soggy.
Step 8
Finally, sprinkle with sesame seeds to finish. This delicious stir-fried anchovy dish is wonderful served warm, but it also keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator, remaining soft and enjoyable for a long time.
