Savory Stir-Fried Ferns (Gosari Bokkeum)
Savory Stir-Fried Ferns (Gosari Bokkeum)
From Soaking to Stir-Frying Dried Gosari: A Complete Guide
Ferns (Gosari) are a popular side dish, especially during holidays, but store-bought ones can be quite expensive and small in portion. With this recipe, you can make a generous and delicious batch yourself at a lower cost! I’ll guide you step-by-step, from soaking dried ferns and boiling them using rice water to creating a flavorful stir-fry seasoning. Even beginners can follow along easily. Using domestic Korean ferns will bring out an even richer flavor.
Main Ingredients- 300g dried ferns (gosari)
- 1/2 large green onion
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
Seasoning Ingredients- 2 Tbsp soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp shiitake mushroom powder
- Sesame oil to taste
- 2 Tbsp soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp shiitake mushroom powder
- Sesame oil to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 300g of dried ferns (gosari). Soak them in lukewarm water for at least 5 hours until they are fully rehydrated. The best method is to soak them overnight before going to bed; they’ll be perfectly softened by morning. If the soaking water becomes cloudy, change it once or twice for cleaner rehydration.
Step 2
After soaking and rinsing the ferns, let’s boil them in rice water. Using rice water helps effectively remove the slightly bitter taste and any unwanted odor characteristic of ferns. The boiling time may vary slightly depending on the type of fern and how well it was rehydrated. Test by gently pressing a piece with your fingers; it should be tender but not mushy. Avoid overcooking.
Step 3
Once boiled, rinse the ferns in cold water 2-3 times to remove any remaining impurities. Then, soak them briefly in cold water for about 10 minutes. This step helps them become even more tender. When draining, don’t squeeze out all the moisture. Leaving a little moisture will help keep the ferns moist when stir-frying.
Step 4
Cut the drained ferns into bite-sized pieces, about 5-7 cm long. Finely chop the green onion. Having your ingredients prepped like this makes the stir-frying process much smoother.
Step 5
Heat a lightly oiled pan over medium heat. Add the prepared ferns and begin to stir-fry them. Stir-frying until they are slightly golden will enhance their nutty flavor.
Step 6
Now, add all the seasoning ingredients and stir well. First, add the minced garlic, shiitake mushroom powder, and chopped green onion, stir-frying over medium heat to release their aromas. Then, add the soup soy sauce and sesame seeds, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer gently. To prevent the dish from becoming too dry, add 1-2 tablespoons of water occasionally while stir-frying. You can also use regular salt instead of soup soy sauce for seasoning.
Step 7
Finally, turn off the heat and drizzle in the sesame oil. Sesame oil is sensitive to heat, so adding it at the end preserves its rich aroma. Once all the ingredients are well combined, your delicious stir-fried ferns (Gosari Bokkeum) are ready!
