Crispy Anchovy Stir-fry with Nuts: A Delicious & Nutty Recipe
Crispy Anchovy Stir-fry with Nuts: A Delicious & Nutty Recipe
Make your anchovy stir-fry extra nutty and crispy by adding a generous amount of mixed nuts. A perfect side dish for bone health!
Anchovies are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with calcium essential for building and protecting our bones. They play a crucial role in strengthening bone density and preventing osteoporosis. Enjoy this ‘superfood’ anchovy stir-fry, made even more delightful with the addition of crunchy nuts. It’s a staple side dish that’s both delicious and beneficial for everyone in the family. Make it a regular on your dinner table!
Main Ingredients- 150g dried anchovies for stir-frying (gutted)
- 150g mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews, etc., to your preference)
Additional Ingredients- 1 dried chili pepper or 1 green chili pepper (seeds removed and finely chopped)
Sauce- 4 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp oligosaccharide (or corn syrup/honey)
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 3 Tbsp cooking oil
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 dried chili pepper or 1 green chili pepper (seeds removed and finely chopped)
Sauce- 4 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp oligosaccharide (or corn syrup/honey)
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 3 Tbsp cooking oil
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the dried anchovies for stir-frying. Removing the heads and guts will reduce any potential bitterness or fishy smell, resulting in a cleaner flavor. (Optional step).
Step 2
For the nuts, prepare 150g of your favorite selection, such as almonds, Brazil nuts, or walnuts. Using a mix of different nuts will enhance the texture and flavor complexity.
Step 3
To make chopping easier, place parchment paper or paper towels on a cutting board and spread the nuts on top. Lightly chop the nuts with a knife into bite-sized pieces. Avoid chopping them too finely; aim for pieces that offer a satisfying chew.
Step 4
Chop the nuts to a size where they’re still noticeable when you chew, about the size of a small bean. This will give a great texture to the finished dish. If serving to children, make sure the pieces aren’t too large.
Step 5
If you’d like a touch of spice or color, prepare 1 dried chili pepper or 1 green chili pepper. Remove the seeds and finely chop them. (You can omit this if you prefer less heat).
Step 6
Now, let’s make the delicious sauce that will define the flavor of your anchovy stir-fry. In a small bowl, add 4 tablespoons of soy sauce. Soy sauce not only adds saltiness but also a rich umami flavor.
Step 7
Add 3 tablespoons of oligosaccharide for sweetness and a glossy finish. You can substitute with corn syrup or honey, but oligosaccharide gives a particularly beautiful sheen.
Step 8
Pour in 2 tablespoons of cooking wine (mirin) to eliminate any fishy odor from the anchovies and add a subtle depth of flavor. If you don’t have mirin, a little sake or soju can also work.
Step 9
Add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar for a deep sweetness and rich aroma. Stir everything together well until the brown sugar dissolves completely. You can use regular granulated sugar if brown sugar isn’t available.
Step 10
With the main ingredients, side ingredients, and the flavorful sauce all prepared, we’re ready to start cooking! Let’s make this delicious anchovy stir-fry.
Step 11
Before you begin stir-frying, heat a frying pan over high heat until it’s well-preheated. To effectively remove any fishy smell and make the anchovies extra crispy, we’ll start by lightly toasting them dry, without any oil.
Step 12
Add the anchovies to the hot pan and stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when their moisture evaporates and they start making a ‘crispy, crispy’ sound. This step reduces fishiness and enhances their nutty flavor.
Step 13
After toasting the anchovies, add the chopped nuts to the same pan. Stir-frying the nuts with the anchovies will further deepen their toasty aroma.
Step 14
Now, add 3 tablespoons of cooking oil to the pan. The oil will coat the anchovies and nuts, helping them to become even crispier and more flavorful.
Step 15
Toss the anchovies and nuts in the oil until they are evenly coated. You can do this by shaking the pan or stirring with a spatula. Ensuring a thin, even layer of oil on all ingredients is key.
Step 16
Once the anchovies and nuts are coated, pour in all the prepared sauce. From this point on, be mindful of the heat to prevent the sauce from burning.
Step 17
Stir-fry quickly, mixing everything together so the sauce evenly coats all the ingredients. Continue cooking until the sauce is mostly absorbed and there isn’t much liquid left in the pan. Once the sauce has reduced, lower the heat or briefly turn it off. We’ll use the residual heat to cook down any remaining sauce.
Step 18
This is a final touch. Add the chopped chili peppers and mix quickly. Stirring just enough to wilt the peppers slightly will maintain their texture and add a vibrant color to your anchovy stir-fry.
Step 19
At this stage, adding an extra teaspoon of sugar is a secret tip! It helps maintain the anchovies’ crispiness for longer and prevents them from becoming soggy when stored in the refrigerator. Definitely try this trick!
Step 20
As a finishing touch, drizzle 2 tablespoons of sesame oil over the pan to add a rich, nutty aroma. Add the sesame oil after turning off the heat to preserve its fragrant essence.
Step 21
Finally, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds and give it a final gentle toss. Your delicious nutty anchovy stir-fry is ready! Let it cool slightly before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a long-lasting crispy treat.
