Chewy & Sweet Braised Konjac: Ultra-Simple Diet Side Dish
A Must-Try Konjac Recipe: Delicious Braised Konjac, Perfect for a Low-Calorie Diet Meal
Konjac is a fantastic diet food, boasting only 9 calories per 100g while providing a satisfying fullness. This braised konjac dish, made from an affordable pack, looks and tastes amazing thanks to the intricate scoring on the konjac. The scoring allows the savory-sweet sauce to penetrate deeply, creating a wonderfully chewy texture and rich flavor. It’s an absolute winner as a side dish for rice. Give it a try – you won’t be disappointed!
Main Ingredients
- Konjac 250g
- Vinegar 2 tsp
- Kelp (Kombu) 1 piece (approx. 5x5cm)
- Toasted sesame seeds, a pinch
- Sesame oil 0.5 Tbsp
- Black pepper, a pinch
- Shredded dried chili (optional)
Braising Sauce
- Water 1/3 cup (approx. 60ml)
- Soy sauce 3 Tbsp
- Brown sugar 0.5 Tbsp
- Corn syrup or rice syrup 3 Tbsp
- Sake or Mirin 2 Tbsp
- Cooking oil 1 Tbsp
- Water 1/3 cup (approx. 60ml)
- Soy sauce 3 Tbsp
- Brown sugar 0.5 Tbsp
- Corn syrup or rice syrup 3 Tbsp
- Sake or Mirin 2 Tbsp
- Cooking oil 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Gather all your ingredients for a delicious braised konjac dish. Rinse the konjac under running water.
Step 2
To remove any unpleasant odor from the konjac and achieve a firm texture, blanch it in boiling water with 2 teaspoons of vinegar for 1-2 minutes. After blanching, rinse the konjac under cold water and drain well.
Step 3
To help the sauce penetrate the konjac effectively, make a crisscross pattern of shallow scores on the surface of the konjac. Don’t cut too deeply; a light scoring is key.
Step 4
Cut the scored konjac into bite-sized cubes, about 2-3 cm each. Cubing it makes it easier to eat and more appealing visually.
Step 5
In a heated pan, combine all the braising sauce ingredients: water (1/3 cup), soy sauce (3 Tbsp), brown sugar (0.5 Tbsp), corn syrup (3 Tbsp), sake/mirin (2 Tbsp), and cooking oil (1 Tbsp). Add the piece of kelp as well. Adding kelp enhances the umami flavor.
Step 6
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the cubed konjac to the pan and stir continuously while the sauce simmers for about 5-8 minutes, ensuring the konjac is evenly coated. Stirring regularly prevents sticking and burning.
Step 7
Continue to braise until the sauce has reduced significantly and the konjac is glossy. If there’s still too much liquid, you can continue to cook it uncovered like stir-frying until the desired consistency is reached.
Step 8
Once the konjac has absorbed the sauce and most of the liquid has evaporated, turn off the heat. Stir in the sesame oil (0.5 Tbsp), a pinch of black pepper, and a pinch of toasted sesame seeds. Mix gently to combine. Your delicious braised konjac is ready!
Step 9
Transfer the finished braised konjac to a serving dish. For an elegant touch, sprinkle a little shredded dried chili on top. This simple dish transforms into a sophisticated side dish! Enjoy it with a bowl of freshly steamed rice.
