Tender & Chewy Stir-Fried Clams with Vegetables – Perfect for a Low Appetite!
Super Simple Stir-Fried Clams with Vegetables Recipe
While traveling and getting tired of the same rice noodle dishes every day, I stumbled upon pre-cleaned clam meat at the supermarket! With plenty of fresh vegetables available, I decided to make a simple stir-fry. This recipe works wonderfully with other types of shellfish too! Enjoy this delightful clam stir-fry, which is both savory and packed with flavor.
Main Ingredients
- 200g pre-cleaned clam meat
- 2 bell peppers (using different colors makes it visually appealing)
- 1 bunch of cilantro
Seasoning Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce (regular or dark)
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin, or substitute with sake or soju)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce (regular or dark)
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin, or substitute with sake or soju)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare your vegetables. Remove the seeds from the bell peppers and cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 2cm long. Using half of each color of bell pepper will make the dish look more appetizing. Rinse the cilantro thoroughly. (Tip: Cilantro helps to eliminate any fishy odor from seafood and aids digestion, potentially preventing stomach upset.)
Step 2
Let’s make the delicious sauce for the clam stir-fry! In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1 Tbsp oyster sauce. Mix well. Adding oyster sauce will give the dish a richer and deeper flavor.
Step 3
Lightly rinse the clam meat under cold running water to remove any debris, then drain it well in a colander. Heat 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, then add the clam meat and stir-fry together.
Step 4
Clam meat releases a lot of moisture, so it’s best to stir-fry it over high heat initially. This helps maintain the clam’s tender texture and prevents the dish from becoming too watery.
Step 5
To help eliminate any potential gaminess from the clams, add 1 Tbsp of cooking wine (or sake or soju) to the pan. As the alcohol evaporates, it will carry away any unpleasant odors.
Step 6
Be careful not to overcook the clams, as they can become tough. Now, add the prepared bell peppers and quickly stir-fry them with the clams. Cook until the vegetables are slightly tender but still have a bit of crunch.
Step 7
Once the bell peppers begin to soften slightly, add the prepared sauce mixture (soy sauce, oyster sauce) to the pan and stir-fry quickly. Ensure the sauce is evenly distributed throughout the ingredients.
Step 8
Finally, sprinkle a little extra minced garlic (optional) and black pepper for added flavor. (Tip: For a touch of heat, you can add some chili flakes or chopped green chilies.)
Step 9
Finish by adding a generous amount of fresh cilantro to enhance the aroma. Your delicious clam stir-fry is ready! Enjoy this chewy, savory dish with its rich flavors – a perfect meal!