Sautéed Sea Gourd: A Flavorful and Crisp Korean Side Dish
Sautéed Sea Gourd: A Flavorful and Crisp Korean Side Dish
How to Make Delicious Sautéed Sea Gourd (No Fishy Smell!)
Sea gourd is packed with dietary fiber, making it excellent for constipation and weight management! It’s also rich in vitamins and folic acid, making it a particularly beneficial food for pregnant women!
Ingredients- 1 handful of sea gourd (fresh or rehydrated)
- 1/2 medium onion
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce (or fish sauce)
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, we need to remove the excess salt from the sea gourd, as it’s often preserved in brine. Rinse the sea gourd thoroughly under running water at least 3 times. Then, soak it in cold water for about 20-30 minutes. This crucial step will help eliminate any saltiness or unpleasant odors, ensuring a clean and delicious flavor.
Step 2
For an even more effective salt removal and to enhance texture, you can briefly blanch the sea gourd. Bring a pot of water to a boil and immerse the sea gourd for just 10-15 seconds. Be careful not to overcook it, as it can become mushy. This quick blanching helps maintain its crispness while further reducing saltiness and any potential fishy smell.
Step 3
Prepare the onion by slicing it thinly into half-moon shapes. Aim for a consistent thickness (about 0.5 cm) so that it cooks evenly with the sea gourd. The natural sweetness of the onion will complement the savory flavors of the dish.
Step 4
After soaking, gently squeeze out as much water as possible from the sea gourd with your hands. Excess moisture can make the dish watery. Once drained, cut the sea gourd into bite-sized pieces, about 5-7 cm long. This prevents the strands from tangling too much during cooking.
Step 5
Now, let’s start cooking! Heat a tablespoon of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Don’t let the garlic burn.
Step 6
Once the onions are softened and translucent, add the prepared sea gourd to the pan. Stir-fry everything together, making sure the strands are separated. Add 1 tablespoon of soup soy sauce (or fish sauce for extra umami) and continue to stir-fry for about 5 minutes until the sea gourd is tender yet still has a slight bite.
Step 7
Finally, turn off the heat and drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of crushed toasted sesame seeds. Give it a final gentle toss to combine everything. Adding sesame oil at the end preserves its aromatic flavor. Your delicious side dish is ready!
Step 8
Enjoy your beautifully glistening and flavorful Sautéed Sea Gourd! Its chewy texture and savory, nutty taste are incredibly satisfying. Serve it as a wonderful accompaniment to rice or as a simple, healthy side dish. Bon appétit!
