Spicy and Sweet Anchovy Side Dish: A Quick & Delicious Recipe
Spicy and Sweet Anchovy Side Dish: A Quick & Delicious Recipe
Easy-to-Make Dried Anchovy Salad (Myeolchi Muchim)
With more time spent at home these days, cooking three meals a day can feel like a challenge. Many of us find ourselves wondering what side dishes to prepare. I’ve made a simple and delicious dried anchovy salad that’s perfect for a quick meal. It’s a fantastic side dish that pairs wonderfully with rice!
Ingredients- Dried anchovies for broth (large size), about 1 cup
- Minced garlic, a pinch (approx. 1/2 tsp)
- Chopped green onions, a pinch (approx. 1 tsp)
- Soy sauce, 1 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup), 1 Tbsp
- Rice wine (mirin) or onion syrup/water, 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), a pinch (approx. 1/2 tsp, adjust to taste)
- Sugar, a pinch (approx. 1/2 tsp, adjust to taste)
- Sesame oil, 1 tsp
- Toasted sesame seeds, 1 tsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the dried anchovies by removing their guts (the dark intestinal tract) and heads. If the anchovies are very large, you can cut them in half. Next, heat a dry pan over medium-low heat and toast the prepared anchovies. This step removes excess moisture and helps to eliminate any fishy odor, making them more fragrant and slightly crunchy.
Step 2
As the anchovies toast, they might release some powdery bits. You can gently shake the pan and tap out any excess powder for a cleaner texture in the final dish. This is optional but recommended for a better result.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the delicious seasoning! In a bowl, combine minced garlic (about 1/2 tsp), chopped green onions (about 1 tsp). Add soy sauce (1 Tbsp), oligosaccharide (1 Tbsp), and rice wine or its substitute (1 Tbsp). The ratio here is 1:1:1, creating a balanced base for flavor, sweetness, and to neutralize any strong flavors.
Step 4
To this base, add gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) for a touch of heat (about 1/2 tsp, adjust to your preference), a little sugar (about 1/2 tsp) for extra sweetness, sesame oil (1 tsp) for a nutty aroma, and toasted sesame seeds (1 tsp) for garnish and flavor. Whisk everything together until well combined.
Step 5
If it’s cold and your oligosaccharide is hardened, making it difficult to mix, you can gently warm the seasoning bowl over very low heat. This will help the oligosaccharide melt and ensure the seasoning coats the anchovies smoothly. Be careful not to overheat it.
Step 6
Add the toasted anchovies to the prepared seasoning.
Step 7
Gently mix the anchovies with the seasoning,
Step 8
ensuring they are evenly coated. Your flavorful dried anchovy salad is now ready! This dish is so good, it might just make you eat an extra bowl of rice!
