Savory and Tender Mother’s Style Radish Side Dish
The Essence of Home Cooking! Deliciously Simple Radish Side Dish Golden Recipe
This is the radish side dish, a nostalgic dish my mother used to make with such care when I was young. It’s a magical recipe that comes together in a snap with just radishes! It’s truly simple and easy to make, and thinking back, it makes me laugh how much I disliked this delicious side dish as a child. As I’ve gotten older, tastes do change, and now I find this radish dish to be the most delicious home-cooked meal. Especially since becoming a homemaker, I realize, ‘Is there any simpler side dish than this!’ It’s truly an effortless recipe. So, shall we begin making this savory, mother’s-style radish side dish?
Ingredients
- 1/2 medium Korean radish (about half of a small radish)
- 1 Tbsp coarse sea salt (for salting the radish)
- 3 Tbsp perilla seed powder
- 1-2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds, crushed (to taste)
- 1 handful green onions, finely chopped
- 3 Tbsp perilla oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 cup water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the radish. Take about half of a small radish, wash it thoroughly, and peel off the skin using a peeler. Then, slice it thinly into matchsticks, about 0.3-0.5 cm thick. Aim for thin but not so thin that it crumbles easily when cooked.
Step 2
Place all the julienned radish into a large bowl or basin. Add 1 tablespoon of coarse sea salt and mix well by gently massaging it with your hands. This process helps to draw out the moisture from the radish, making it tender and allowing it to absorb the salt. Let the salted radish sit for about 30 minutes to salt.
Step 3
After 30 minutes, check the condition of the salted radish. If the radish bends without breaking when you gently try to snap it, it’s been salted properly. The salted radish will release water; don’t discard this water, as you’ll use it later when stir-frying the radish.
Step 4
Now, it’s time to stir-fry the radish. Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add 3 tablespoons of perilla oil. Once the perilla oil is warm, add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and lightly stir-fry for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to overcook the garlic, as it can burn.
Step 5
Once the garlic is fragrant, add the salted radish to the pan. Don’t add all the water that came out from salting the radish. Pour in only half of the radish’s released water into the pan, and discard the remaining half. Using a little of the radish’s own liquid helps season it well and cook it moistly.
Step 6
Add the radish to the pan and stir-fry gently to mix with the perilla oil and garlic for about 2-3 minutes. Then, pour in 1 cup of water. Cover the pan with a lid and let it simmer over low heat until the radish is completely tender. Stir occasionally to prevent the radish from sticking to the bottom.
Step 7
When the radish becomes translucent and most of the liquid has evaporated, add 3 tablespoons of perilla seed powder and stir-fry again gently. Adding perilla seed powder deepens the savory flavor and greatly enhances the taste of the radish dish. Mix well to ensure the powder coats the radish evenly.
Step 8
Finally, add the chopped green onions and stir-fry briefly, just enough to combine. The mild pungency and sweetness of the green onions will make the radish dish even more delicious. Avoid overcooking the green onions, as they can become mushy; cook them just until their aroma is released.
Step 9
For an extra touch of flavor, add 1-2 tablespoons of crushed toasted sesame seeds to finish. Adding pre-crushed or ground sesame seeds doubles the nutty aroma. Give it one last gentle stir to combine, and your delicious radish side dish is ready!
Step 10
Here’s a savory and tender radish side dish, enriched with plenty of perilla seed powder for a refined flavor. It offers a depth and tenderness different from typical radish dishes. I’ve tried many ways to make radish side dishes, but this method with generous perilla seed powder has been the most delicious and satisfying. It’s absolutely wonderful served with a bowl of warm rice!
