Spicy and Savory Stir-fried Baby Octopus with Bean Sprouts
Make a Delicious and Flavorful Baby Octopus and Bean Sprout Stir-fry for a Special Meal
When your appetite needs a boost, nothing beats a dish that’s both spicy and flavorful! And if it has a satisfying texture and is served generously, it’s even more appealing. Today, we’re making a hearty seafood stir-fry packed with bean sprouts and baby octopus. I’ve used my favorite seafood, baby octopus, for this recipe. It’s perfect as an appetizer or a main course for dinner.
Ingredients
- Bean sprouts 150g
- Baby octopus 200g, cleaned
- Red chili pepper 1 (optional, for heat)
- Green onions 1/2 bunch (about 3-4 stalks)
- Sesame seeds 1/3 tsp
- Water 100ml
- Sesame oil 1/2 Tbsp
Spicy Stir-fry Sauce
- Fine chili powder 2 Tbsp
- Coarse chili powder 1 Tbsp
- Potato starch 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 2 Tbsp
- Oyster sauce 2 Tbsp
- Cooking wine 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Water 4 Tbsp
- Black pepper 1/3 tsp
- Fine chili powder 2 Tbsp
- Coarse chili powder 1 Tbsp
- Potato starch 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 2 Tbsp
- Oyster sauce 2 Tbsp
- Cooking wine 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Water 4 Tbsp
- Black pepper 1/3 tsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the chili pepper to add a spicy kick. Slice it diagonally into about 0.5cm thick pieces. Next, we’ll chop the green onions. They’ll be added at the end for a fresh garnish and aroma, so finely chop them and set them aside.
Step 2
Let’s make the sauce that will define the flavor of this dish! In a bowl, combine fine chili powder (2 Tbsp), coarse chili powder (1 Tbsp), potato starch (1 Tbsp), soy sauce (2 Tbsp), oyster sauce (2 Tbsp), cooking wine (1 Tbsp), minced garlic (1 Tbsp), water (4 Tbsp), and black pepper (1/3 tsp). Whisk everything together until well combined and smooth. The oyster sauce is key for adding a rich umami flavor. If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can prepare a slurry by mixing an additional 1 Tbsp of potato starch with 1.5 Tbsp of water. You can add this later during the cooking process to achieve your desired thickness.
Step 3
I used pre-cleaned frozen baby octopus, so I just rinsed it once. If you find a lot of impurities, you can clean them thoroughly by rubbing them with a handful of flour, then rinsing under cold water. This process helps remove any sliminess and ensures they are clean.
Step 4
Now, let’s start cooking! Place a generous amount of bean sprouts in a pot or large pan. Arrange the cleaned baby octopus on top of the sprouts, and add the sliced chili peppers. Pour in only about 100ml of water. A common reason for an unsuccessful seafood stir-fry is incorrect water measurement. Since both the bean sprouts and baby octopus release moisture as they cook, adding too much water initially can turn your dish into a watery stew. Be mindful of this! Cover the pot, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low heat and steam for about 10 minutes. The dish is ready when the baby octopus has turned completely opaque and red, and the bean sprouts are slightly translucent but still retain a crisp texture.
Step 5
Once the ingredients are steamed, add the prepared sauce over the octopus and bean sprouts. Stir and toss everything together over medium heat for about 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to coat and absorb into the ingredients. Finally, turn off the heat. Transfer the stir-fry to a serving dish. Sprinkle generously with sesame seeds and drizzle with sesame oil. Garnish with the chopped green onions. Your delicious and appetizing baby octopus and bean sprout stir-fry is now ready to be enjoyed!
