Garlic Scape and Fish Cake Stir-fry: A Delicious Harmony of Chewy Fish Cake and Crunchy Scapes
Garlic Scape and Fish Cake Stir-fry: A Delicious Harmony of Chewy Fish Cake and Crunchy Scapes
Healthy and Delicious Fish Cake Stir-fry with Seasonal Garlic Scapes
Did you know garlic scapes are packed with health benefits and act as a natural stamina booster? They are the flower stems of garlic, absorbing all the goodness of garlic, and are even richer in beta-carotene, an antioxidant, than garlic itself! This recipe brings together the delightful chewiness of fish cake and the satisfying crunch of garlic scapes, making it a perfect side dish for rice or even a delicious snack. This recipe is perfectly portioned for 1-2 people, allowing you to create a quick and easy meal.
Main Ingredients- 2 sheets of rectangular fish cake
- 5 stalks of fresh garlic scapes
Seasoning Mix- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
- 3 Tbsp water or dashi broth
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or oligosaccharide)
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
- 3 Tbsp water or dashi broth
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or oligosaccharide)
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare your ingredients: fish cakes and garlic scapes. While two fish cake sheets are usually enough for our family, one sheet is too little for a blog post, so I’m using two. This recipe is ideally suited for 1-2 people.
Step 2
Rinse the garlic scapes thoroughly and cut them into roughly 4cm (about 1.5 inch) segments. Cut the fish cakes into bite-sized pieces, about 2cm wide. Using slightly thicker fish cakes will enhance the texture.
Step 3
Blanch the cut garlic scapes in boiling water for just 30 seconds to 1 minute. Be careful not to overcook them, as they will become mushy. Immediately transfer the blanched scapes to cold water to stop the cooking process, then drain them well. This step helps retain their crispness and vibrant green color.
Step 4
Dip the fish cakes in boiling water for about 10-20 seconds. This helps remove excess oil and any impurities, resulting in a cleaner flavor. Drain the fish cakes and rinse them under cold water, then gently squeeze out any excess water.
Step 5
Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add the soy sauce, cooking wine, corn syrup, and water or dashi broth. Once the sauce comes to a gentle boil, reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the blanched garlic scapes and stir-fry for about 1 minute, allowing them to absorb some of the sauce.
Step 6
Once the garlic scapes have been lightly stir-fried, add the prepared fish cakes to the pan and continue to stir-fry them together. Avoid overcooking the fish cakes, as they can become tough.
Step 7
Continue to stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes over medium-low heat, ensuring the sauce evenly coats both the garlic scapes and fish cakes. Let the sauce reduce slightly to create a glossy coating. Finish by adding a pinch of black pepper for an extra layer of flavor.
Step 8
Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in the sesame oil and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. This adds a wonderful nutty aroma and elevates the dish’s overall taste.
Step 9
Your Garlic Scape and Fish Cake Stir-fry is ready! The combination of chewy, savory-sweet fish cake and the crisp, flavorful garlic scapes is truly delightful. Enjoy this healthy and delicious dish made with seasonal garlic scapes – it’s a real rice-lover’s dream!
