Crispy and Savory Anchovy and Nut Stir-fry
Crispy and Savory Anchovy and Nut Stir-fry
How to Make Stir-fried Anchovies with Nuts: A Perfect Recipe for Crispy Anchovy and Nut Stir-fry
We’ve made a delicious stir-fry using Korea’s beloved anchovies and plenty of crunchy nuts, doubling the flavor and nutrition! This is a must-have side dish that will have everyone reaching for more rice.
Main Ingredients- 2 cups anchovy fillets (about 60g)
- 1 Tbsp sunflower seeds
- 1 Tbsp pumpkin seeds
- 1 Tbsp sliced almonds
- 5 dried dates
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
Seasoning- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or rice wine)
- 1/2 Tbsp corn syrup (or oligosaccharide)
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or rice wine)
- 1/2 Tbsp corn syrup (or oligosaccharide)
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gently shake the anchovy fillets through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any small crumbs or dust. This ensures a clean, pleasant taste when stir-fried.
Step 2
Rinse the sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sliced almonds lightly under running water to remove any impurities. Drain them well, then place them in a dry pan over low heat. Stir-fry until they are lightly golden and fragrant, being careful not to burn them. Toasting the nuts beforehand enhances their nutty flavor and crispiness. Feel free to use any other nuts you have on hand or prefer.
Step 3
Remove the pits from the dried dates and thinly slice them into slivers. Using dried dates adds a subtle, sophisticated sweetness and a beautiful color to the stir-fry. They are a great ingredient to keep stocked for various Korean dishes!
Step 4
Now, let’s start stir-frying. Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat.
Step 5
Add the sieved anchovy fillets to the pan. Stir gently to avoid breaking them, and stir-fry briefly to remove excess moisture and achieve a crispier texture.
Step 6
Once the anchovies are lightly stir-fried, reduce the heat to low and push the anchovies to one side of the pan. This technique allows you to add the seasonings directly to the pan without having to remove and re-add the anchovies, simplifying the process.
Step 7
In the empty space in the pan, add 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 tablespoon of cooking wine. The anchovies themselves are seasoned enough, so you don’t need soy sauce. The cooking wine helps to remove any fishiness and adds depth of flavor.
Step 8
Keeping the heat on low, stir gently with a spatula until the sugar dissolves and is well combined with the cooking wine. Be careful not to burn the sugar.
Step 9
Once the sugar has dissolved and is mixed with the cooking wine, add the toasted nuts and sliced dates to the pan.
Step 10
Stir-fry everything together, ensuring the anchovies, nuts, and dates are evenly coated with the glaze. Proper mixing ensures a balanced flavor.
Step 11
Turn off the heat or keep it on very low. Add 1/2 tablespoon of corn syrup, 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil, and 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds. Stir everything together until well combined. Adding corn syrup over high heat can cause the anchovies to stick together in a hard lump, so it’s best to finish it off the heat or on very low heat.
Step 12
Once everything is evenly mixed and glossy, your delicious stir-fried anchovies and nuts are ready! Let it cool slightly before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy this versatile side dish anytime!
