Chewy Burdock and Dried Squid Stir-fry: A Perfect Side Dish!
Chewy Burdock and Dried Squid Stir-fry: A Perfect Side Dish!
The Fantastic Harmony of Burdock and Dried Squid: Chewy and Sweet Burdock & Dried Squid Stir-fry
A magical side dish that will have you finishing a bowl of rice in no time, with the savory chewiness of dried squid and the crisp texture of burdock! Here’s a recipe for a simple yet deeply flavorful burdock and dried squid stir-fry. It’s perfect as a make-ahead side dish or even as a snack with drinks.
Main Ingredients- Dried squid (Jinjinchae) 200g
- Burdock root 96g
Seasoning- Soy sauce 4 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (Mirin) 3 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1/2 Tbsp
- Cooking oil 2 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 4 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (Mirin) 3 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1/2 Tbsp
- Cooking oil 2 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Shall we start by preparing the ingredients for a delicious burdock and dried squid stir-fry?
Step 2
Lightly peel or thoroughly wash the burdock root, then julienne it into strips about 0.5cm thick. Soaking the julienned burdock in cold water for about 10 minutes can help remove any bitterness and enhance its crispness. Drain the soaked burdock completely using a colander. Lightly rinse the dried squid under running water (be careful not to soak it for too long, as it can break apart!) and then pat it dry thoroughly with paper towels. Cut the dried squid into easy-to-eat pieces, about 3-4cm in length, for better handling.
Step 3
In a small bowl, combine the seasoning ingredients: 4 Tbsp soy sauce, 3 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin), and 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic. Mix them well. The cooking wine helps eliminate any fishy odor from the dried squid and adds a nice sheen.
Step 4
Heat 2 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat.
Step 5
Add the drained, julienned burdock to the pan and begin to stir-fry. Stir-frying the burdock first helps evaporate its moisture, leading to a crispier and more savory flavor.
Step 6
Once the burdock becomes translucent, wilts slightly, and starts to turn lightly golden,
Step 7
Pour the prepared seasoning mixture over the burdock.
Step 8
Stir gently with a spatula for about 2-3 times, allowing the seasoning to coat the burdock evenly. Keep the heat on medium-low during this step.
Step 9
Now, add the prepared dried squid and stir-fry it as if braising, ensuring the seasoning coats the squid thoroughly. The dried squid will absorb the sauce and develop a chewy texture.
Step 10
After adding the dried squid, moisture may be released. Increase the heat to high for a short period to help the dried squid quickly absorb the seasoning and become chewy. Stir-fry for about 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
Step 11
Once the dried squid is well-coated and stir-fried, reduce the heat back to medium and continue to cook, allowing any remaining moisture to evaporate. It’s important to cook until the mixture is no longer moist and has a slightly firm, chewy texture.
Step 12
When the dried squid and burdock have a glossy coating, a delicious soy sauce color, and a satisfying chewy texture, your burdock and dried squid stir-fry is complete! Serve it over hot rice or pack it as a lunchbox side dish.
