Chewy & Savory Dried Clams and Garlic Scapes Stir-fry
Chewy & Savory Dried Clams and Garlic Scapes Stir-fry
A Deliciously Chewy and Salty Stir-fry with Dried Clams and Garlic Scapes
These chewy dried clams paired with tender garlic scapes make for a perfect side dish that will have you reaching for more. The salty and savory flavor profile is incredibly satisfying with rice. This recipe is easy to make at home and is a fantastic addition to your meal.
Main Ingredients- Garlic Scapes: 1 bunch (approx. 1 cup)
- Dried Clam Meat: 1 cup
Seasoning & Other Ingredients- Avocado Oil: 2 Tbsp
- Mirin (Rice Wine): 3 Tbsp
- Oligodang (Corn Syrup): 3 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce (for soup/seasoning): 2 Tbsp
- Dried Red Chili Pepper: 1 (optional)
- Sesame Seeds: a pinch
- Avocado Oil: 2 Tbsp
- Mirin (Rice Wine): 3 Tbsp
- Oligodang (Corn Syrup): 3 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce (for soup/seasoning): 2 Tbsp
- Dried Red Chili Pepper: 1 (optional)
- Sesame Seeds: a pinch
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the garlic scapes thoroughly and cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 5-6 cm long. In boiling water, add 1 Tbsp of salt and blanch the garlic scapes for just about 1 minute. This step helps retain the crisp texture of the garlic scapes while removing any slight bitterness.
Step 2
Immediately after blanching, rinse the garlic scapes under cold running water to cool them down quickly. Drain them well in a colander to remove excess moisture. This ensures they don’t become watery when stir-fried and absorb the sauce better.
Step 3
In a pan, combine 2 Tbsp of avocado oil, 2 Tbsp of soy sauce, and 3 Tbsp of oligodang. Mix well. Add the drained blanched garlic scapes to the pan. Stir-fry over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens and the garlic scapes become glossy. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
Step 4
To make the dried clam meat tender, soak it in lukewarm water for about 10-20 minutes before stir-frying. Gently knead the clam meat to remove any impurities or excess salt. Rinse it under clean water and squeeze out any remaining moisture.
Step 5
While the garlic scapes are being glazed, you can lightly stir-fry the prepared dried clam meat in a separate pan or the same pan. Stir-fry until the clam meat is cooked through and has a pleasantly chewy texture.
Step 6
Once the clam meat is somewhat stir-fried, combine it with the glazed garlic scapes. Stir-fry them together until the ingredients are well combined and the flavors have melded. At this stage, add 3 Tbsp of mirin (rice wine) to eliminate any potential fishy odor from the clams and continue to simmer.
Step 7
Finally, stir-fry for a little longer to allow the flavors to fully infuse into all the ingredients. Just before turning off the heat, sprinkle with sesame seeds for garnish. If you like a touch of spice, you can add some finely chopped dried red chili pepper.
Step 8
This finished stir-fry offers a delightful combination of chewy dried clams and crisp garlic scapes. Making a generous batch is recommended, as it stores well in the refrigerator and makes for a convenient side dish to enjoy over several meals. Enjoy your delicious creation!
