Braised Mackerel with Radish: The Ultimate Rice Companion
Braised Mackerel with Radish: The Ultimate Rice Companion
Salted Mackerel and Radish Braise: A Delicious Recipe for the Perfect Rice Side Dish
Here’s a recipe for the most delicious salted mackerel and radish braise that will make you want to eat rice with every meal! It’s incredibly flavorful and satisfying.
Main Ingredients- 2 salted mackerels
- 500g Korean radish (mu)
- 1/2 stalk green onion (daepa)
- 1/2 onion
- 1 red chili pepper
- 1 green chili pepper
- 500ml water
- A little toasted sesame seeds
Seasoning Ingredients- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (oligosaccharide)
- 3 Tbsp red chili powder (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp red chili paste (gochujang)
- 1 Tbsp soybean paste (doenjang)
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce (jin-ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp anchovy sauce (myeolchi aekjeot)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp ginger powder
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (oligosaccharide)
- 3 Tbsp red chili powder (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp red chili paste (gochujang)
- 1 Tbsp soybean paste (doenjang)
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce (jin-ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp anchovy sauce (myeolchi aekjeot)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp ginger powder
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the salted mackerel by removing the head, tail, and fins. Cut the fish into manageable pieces, about 3-4 cm thick. Rinse them gently under cold running water. It’s crucial to wash away any blood clots or remaining fin pieces, as these can contribute to a fishy odor. Thorough cleaning ensures a cleaner taste.
Step 2
To effectively eliminate any fishy smell, try this tip: mix 1 Tbsp of flour with 1 Tbsp of vinegar in a bowl of water. Soak the cut mackerel pieces in this mixture for about 20 minutes. The starch in the flour helps absorb unwanted odors, while the vinegar firms up the fish flesh, preventing it from breaking apart during cooking and maintaining a beautiful presentation.
Step 3
Cut the Korean radish (mu) into thick, generous pieces, about 1.5 cm thick. Cutting it this way ensures it doesn’t become too mushy while braising and allows it to absorb the delicious sauce perfectly.
Step 4
Prepare the vegetables: cut the green onion into large chunks (about 2-3 cm), slice the onion about 1 cm thick, and diagonally slice the red and green chili peppers to add color and a touch of heat.
Step 5
Now, let’s make the flavorful sauce. In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp corn syrup, 3 Tbsp red chili powder, 1 Tbsp red chili paste, 1 Tbsp soybean paste, 2 Tbsp cooking wine, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp anchovy sauce, 2 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1/2 tsp ginger powder. Mix everything thoroughly until you have a well-combined sauce. Adding a small amount of soybean paste adds a delightful umami depth.
Step 6
In a pot or deep pan, place the thick slices of radish at the bottom. Arrange the prepared salted mackerel pieces on top of the radish. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the fish. Finally, carefully add 500ml of water around the edges of the pot, ensuring the ingredients are partially submerged.
Step 7
It’s time to braise! Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat with the lid off. Once it starts boiling vigorously, reduce the heat to medium. During the braising process, use a ladle to scoop up some of the sauce from the pot and pour it over the fish and radish repeatedly. This helps the flavors penetrate evenly. Continue this for about 15 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce and thicken.
Step 8
After about 15 minutes of braising, the radish should be tender, and the mackerel will be beautifully coated in the rich sauce, creating an appetizing sight. The dish is almost ready!
Step 9
Check if the radish is fully cooked by piercing it with a chopstick; it should be tender and easily breakable. Once the radish is tender, add the sliced green onions, onion, red chili peppers, and green chili peppers to the pot. Gently mix everything together so the vegetables are coated in the sauce. Cover the pot again and simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld perfectly.
Step 10
Finally, plate the delicious braised mackerel and radish, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, and serve hot with rice. Enjoy your incredibly flavorful homemade meal!
