Savory Stir-Fried Fern with Perilla Oil
Stir-Fried Fern with Perilla Oil
I always thought cooking fern dishes was difficult, but it turns out it’s not as challenging as I imagined! While often prepared for holidays, it’s incredibly delicious served with bibimbap or grilled pork belly. Enjoy the delightful texture and subtle aroma of perilla oil in this easy-to-make fern stir-fry.
Main Ingredients
- 500g blanched and prepared fiddlehead ferns
- 200ml kelp broth (made by soaking 3-4 pieces of dried kelp in 300ml water)
- Soup soy sauce (for seasoning)
- Salt (for seasoning)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Fern Seasoning
- 3 Tbsp soup soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp perilla oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp chopped green onions
- 3 Tbsp soup soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp perilla oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp chopped green onions
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Use pre-blanched and prepared fiddlehead ferns, or blanch and prepare them yourself. To make the kelp broth, soak 3-4 pieces of dried kelp in about 300ml of water for about 20 minutes. This broth will add a deeper umami flavor to the ferns.
Step 2
In a large bowl, combine the prepared ferns with the seasoning ingredients: 3 Tbsp soup soy sauce, 2 Tbsp perilla oil, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and 2 Tbsp chopped green onions. Gently mix everything together with your hands, ensuring the seasonings coat the ferns evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes. This marinating step is key to infusing the ferns with flavor.
Step 3
Heat a wok or a deep skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated ferns to the hot pan and begin to stir-fry. Sautéing until the bottom layer of the ferns becomes slightly golden will enhance their nutty flavor.
Step 4
Once the ferns are partially stir-fried, pour in the prepared kelp broth (200ml). Continue to stir-fry, allowing the broth to moisten the ferns and add a savory depth.
Step 5
After adding the broth, cover the pan with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and let the ferns simmer gently until they become tender and most of the liquid has evaporated. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Step 6
When the ferns are tender and the liquid has reduced to a glaze, taste and adjust the seasoning with more soup soy sauce or salt if needed. Finally, drizzle in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil for a fragrant finish, give it a final mix, and your delicious stir-fried fern dish is ready!
