Flavorful Seasoned Cockles
Flavorful Seasoned Cockles
Tender & Chewy Seasoned Cockles Recipe: How to Boil, Prepare, Purge Cockles, and the Secret to Delicious Seasoning Sauce!
Make a wonderful dish with plump, in-season cockles. We’re sharing a recipe for seasoned cockles that’s perfect for enjoying with family after buying a bag of fresh, large cockles. We’ll guide you through every step, from preparing and purging the cockles to boiling them and making a savory seasoning sauce. Complete your special meal with this standout cockle dish!
Main Ingredients- Fresh cockles (adjust quantity to your preference)
- Soy sauce
- Cheongyang chili peppers
- Red chili peppers
- Minced garlic
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The cockles bought this time were exceptionally large. I spotted and immediately bought these extra-large ‘wang kkokmak’ (king cockles) from a local vegetable store. I’m already excited to make a delicious dish with these plump cockles!
Step 2
The first step in preparing cockles is to wash them thoroughly. Rub the cockles against each other vigorously in water to wash away the mud. Repeating this about 10 times until the water runs clear will effectively remove any mud trapped between them.
Step 3
If you want to ensure the crevices on the cockle shells are clean, using a small brush is a good method. However, for this recipe, rubbing the cockles together during washing was sufficient for clean preparation. (Optional)
Step 4
To completely remove any remaining mud, purging the cockles is essential. Place the cockles in cold water and add a pinch of salt. Adding a stainless steel spoon or fork to the water can help the cockles expel mud more actively. Let them purge in a dark, quiet place for about 1 hour.
Step 5
Now it’s time to boil the purged cockles. Fill a pot with plenty of water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling vigorously, add the cockles and stir them in one direction with a spoon. The water might become cloudy from the mud released by the cockles; don’t worry and continue boiling.
Step 6
It’s crucial to watch for the moment when the cockles begin to open their shells. This is when the cockles are at their most delicious state.
Step 7
As soon as the cockles start to open their mouths, remove them immediately. If you boil them until all of them have fully opened, the juices will escape, making them tough. It’s best to remove them when they’ve just begun to open.
Step 8
The well-boiled cockles maintain a plump, appealing shape. You have now created glossy and appetizing cockles!
Step 9
Large cockles are easy to open the shell from once they start to open. If you encounter any cockles that are difficult to open, use cockle tongs or a spoon. Insert it into the gap of the bulging shell and twist gently to open it easily. If the boiling water has a lot of settled mud, rinse the cockles with clear water afterwards.
Step 10
Now, let’s make a delicious seasoning sauce that will enhance the flavor of the cockles. We’ll create a soy sauce-based sauce generously infused with fresh ingredients for a rich aroma.
Step 11
Arrange the beautifully boiled cockles on a wide plate and generously spoon the prepared seasoning sauce over them. Because the cockles are large, even a few make the plate look abundant.
Step 12
I can’t forget the taste of cockles I first tried when visiting my husband’s relatives in Gwangju shortly after we got married. They were so delicious every time they appeared on the table! The cockles there tasted different from those I had in Seoul – they were bigger and fresher. While cockles have their own natural salinity, the addition of Cheongyang peppers, green onions, garlic, and soy sauce truly elevates their flavor.
Step 13
Pick up a cockle, gently pry open its shell, and savor it. The savory seasoning sauce combined with the chewy texture of the cockle creates a fantastic harmony. Even if you only eat a few, they become the star of the meal – that’s the charm of seasoned cockles!
Step 14
With just the knowledge of how to purge and boil cockles properly, you can easily make delicious seasoned cockles at home. When you’re wondering ‘What should I cook today?’, try this cockle dish for a special meal!
