Fragrant Perilla Leaf Sprout Stir-fry with Perilla Seeds: A Delectable Autumn Delicacy
Fragrant Perilla Leaf Sprout Stir-fry with Perilla Seeds: A Delectable Autumn Delicacy
Perilla Leaf Sprout Stir-fry Recipe, Perilla Leaf Namul, Perilla Leaf with Perilla Seeds Stir-fry, Perilla Sprout Side Dish, Perilla Leaf Braised Dish, How to Make Perilla Sprout Stir-fry
Introducing a recipe for perilla leaf sprout stir-fry, bursting with fragrance and nutty flavors, perfect for the autumn season. When you stir-fry fresh perilla leaf sprouts, bought from the market, with plenty of perilla oil and ground perilla seeds, you create a side dish so delicious it’ll make all others jealous! The aromatic tenderness of the perilla leaf sprouts, combined with the savory depth of perilla oil and seeds, is a magical combination that will revive even the most lackluster appetite. Young perilla leaf sprouts are tender and soft, making them enjoyable for everyone. Let us invite you into the world of fragrant and delicious perilla leaf sprout stir-fry!
Main Ingredients- Blanched perilla leaf sprouts 400g
- Onion 1/2
- Scallions, chopped 3 Tbsp
- Coin stock cubes 2
- Water 100ml
Seasoning- Red snow crab soy sauce (or soup soy sauce) 2 Tbsp
- Fish sauce 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Perilla oil 2 Tbsp
- Ground perilla seeds 2 Tbsp
- Toasted sesame seeds, a little
For Blanching Perilla Sprouts- Coarse salt 0.7 Tbsp
- Red snow crab soy sauce (or soup soy sauce) 2 Tbsp
- Fish sauce 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Perilla oil 2 Tbsp
- Ground perilla seeds 2 Tbsp
- Toasted sesame seeds, a little
For Blanching Perilla Sprouts- Coarse salt 0.7 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Perilla leaf sprouts are the tips that are cut off when the perilla plant reaches a certain height, preventing further growth, or they are the young shoots harvested while thinning out the perilla plants. Think of them as small perilla leaves attached to a stem. When the weather gets warmer and you lose your appetite, try stir-frying fragrant perilla leaf sprouts in perilla oil to regain your energy and stimulate your appetite. Perilla leaves, rich in nutrients, are hailed as ‘medicine on the table’ and are the best seasonal vegetable for both taste and health.
Step 2
I fondly remember picking tender perilla leaf sprouts from the yard of our house to make stir-fried namul when I was young. The perilla leaf sprouts I bought this time included not only young leaves but also slightly more mature ones, so I carefully picked out any yellowed leaves. This is the first step to selecting fresh greens.
Step 3
Trim off any tough stems and prepare the tender leaves. Then, place the perilla leaf sprouts in a bowl, add enough water to cover them, and soak in 2 tablespoons of vinegar for about 5 minutes. Soaking in vinegar water helps remove any pesticide residue and enhances the freshness of the sprouts. Rinse thoroughly under running water about 3 times and drain.
Step 4
In a pot, add about 1.5 liters of water, enough to submerge the perilla leaf sprouts. Add 0.7 tablespoon of coarse salt to raise the boiling point of the water, which helps blanch the sprouts more quickly and evenly. Once the water boils, add all the prepared perilla leaf sprouts and press them down with chopsticks or a ladle to ensure they are fully submerged.
Step 5
About 10 seconds after submerging the perilla leaf sprouts, quickly flip them over and blanch for another 5 seconds. When making stir-fried namul, over-blanching can make them mushy, so it’s crucial to blanch them briefly, just enough to wilt them. Maintaining their vibrant green color is key.
Step 6
Immediately rinse the blanched perilla leaf sprouts under cold or running water to remove the heat. This helps maintain their crisp texture and bright green color. While preparing the other ingredients like onion and scallions, soak them in cold water for about 5 minutes to drain excess moisture and enhance their freshness.
Step 7
Gently grasp the perilla leaf sprouts that have been soaking in cold water with both hands and press down lightly to squeeze out excess water. Squeezing too hard can make them dry, so it’s best to leave a little moisture. Cut them into bite-sized pieces (about 3-4 cm). Slice the onion thinly and chop the scallions. If you’re not preparing a separate broth, you can easily make a flavorful broth by dissolving 2 coin stock cubes in 100ml of water.
Step 8
To ensure the seasoning penetrates the perilla leaf sprouts for a deep flavor, pre-marinating them before stir-frying makes them much tastier without needing to cook for a long time. For stir-fries, cooking over high heat for a short time preserves the texture, but pre-marinating allows the seasoning to be absorbed well with just 5-10 minutes of cooking, preventing toughness. Place the prepared perilla leaf sprouts and sliced onion in a round pan. Add 2 tablespoons of red snow crab soy sauce (or soup soy sauce) and 1 tablespoon of fish sauce for added umami.
Step 9
Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of the perilla oil. Gently mix with your hands until well combined. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes for the seasoning to fully penetrate.
Step 10
Now, let’s start stir-frying! Begin by cooking over high heat, then pour in the prepared coin stock. Once the broth boils, cover the pan, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer until the liquid reduces to a thick sauce. This simmering process allows the delicious seasoning to deeply infuse into the perilla leaf sprouts.
Step 11
When the liquid has reduced to a desirable consistency, add the chopped scallions and 2 tablespoons of ground perilla seeds for added nuttiness and aroma.
Step 12
Quickly stir-fry to ensure the ground perilla seeds are well mixed and not clumpy. Finally, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of perilla oil that was set aside. Adding half the perilla oil during the pre-marinating step and the other half at the end preserves the aroma and enhances the richness, making it much more delicious than adding all of it at the beginning.
Step 13
Voila! Your delicious perilla leaf sprout stir-fry is ready. Transfer the finished namul to a serving plate and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor. This nutritious and flavorful perilla leaf sprout namul is a perfect side dish! It offers a delightful balance of fragrance, nuttiness, and umami.
Step 14
The perilla leaf sprout stir-fry is best when it has a slightly moist consistency, rather than being completely dry. Overcooking can make the sprouts tough, so the secret to a delicious dish is to blanch them briefly and stir-fry just enough for the seasonings to meld. The nutty flavor intensifies with every bite.
Step 15
Among aromatic and flavorful side dishes, the perilla leaf sprout stir-fry is a top contender and a perfect ‘rice thief’ (a dish that makes you eat more rice) to enjoy this season. The tender and soft perilla leaf sprouts, beautifully combined with perilla oil and ground perilla seeds, create an unforgettable taste. Make your dinner table healthy and enjoyable tonight with this delicious perilla leaf sprout stir-fry!
