Spicy and Sweet Chewy Stir-fried Baby Octopus Recipe
Spicy and Sweet Chewy Stir-fried Baby Octopus Recipe
Spicy and Sweet Chewy Stir-fried Baby Octopus Recipe
Introducing ‘Stir-fried Baby Octopus’, a delicious and nutritious dish! Baby octopus is not only low in calories and fat but also rich in protein, making it great for weight loss. It’s packed with beneficial nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and Vitamin B12, which supports nervous system health. Enjoy a healthy and tasty meal with this wonderful ingredient!♡
Main Ingredients- 12 cleaned baby octopuses (approximately 12 pieces)
- 1 small onion
- 1/2 small carrot
- 1 Korean red chili pepper (like Cheongyang)
- 2 Tbsp chopped green onion
Seasoning Ingredients- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (like Mirin)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp salted shrimp (finely minced)
- 1 tsp soy sauce or fish sauce
- 1 tsp MSG enhancer (like Dasida) (optional)
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 2 Tbsp soju (for deodorizing baby octopus)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (like Mirin)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp salted shrimp (finely minced)
- 1 tsp soy sauce or fish sauce
- 1 tsp MSG enhancer (like Dasida) (optional)
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 2 Tbsp soju (for deodorizing baby octopus)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the baby octopus thoroughly under running water. Remove the internal organs, eyes, and beak from the body. If you are using frozen baby octopus, it is often pre-cleaned, so you may only need to remove any remaining internal organs near the opening and rinse well. When rinsing, add 2 Tbsp of flour and gently massage the octopus. The flour helps remove the slimy coating and makes the octopus chewier. Rinse thoroughly with cold water until clean.
Step 2
In a pot, add a small amount of water and 2 Tbsp of soju, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the cleaned baby octopus and blanch briefly. Avoid overcooking, as it will make the octopus tough; blanch for about 1 minute, then rinse with cold water and drain well. This step helps to remove any fishy odor and achieve a more tender, chewy texture.
Step 3
In a large bowl, combine all the seasoning ingredients: 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 2 Tbsp gochujang, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 1 tsp finely minced salted shrimp, 1 tsp soy sauce or fish sauce, 1 tsp MSG enhancer (optional), and 1 tsp oyster sauce. Finely chop the Korean red chili pepper and add it to the bowl. Add the blanched baby octopus. Mix everything together with your hands, massaging gently to coat the octopus evenly with the seasoning. Let it marinate for 20 minutes. This allows the flavors to penetrate the octopus.
Step 4
Wash and peel the onion and carrot, then slice them thinly into julienne strips. If you like mushrooms (like shiitake or king oyster mushrooms), you can also slice them thinly and add them for a richer stir-fry.
Step 5
Heat 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped green onion and stir-fry until fragrant, creating an aromatic oil. Once the green onion is fragrant, add the julienned onion and carrot and stir-fry until they become translucent. Finally, add the marinated baby octopus. Stir-fry quickly, ensuring the seasoning is well mixed with all the ingredients, until everything is just cooked through. This completes your delicious baby octopus stir-fry! Be careful not to overcook.ㅎ
Step 6
★ Cooking Tip: Baby octopus becomes tough if cooked for too long. To maintain a chewy texture, add the octopus after the vegetables have started to soften, and stir-fry over high heat for only 2-3 minutes. This quick cooking method is key to achieving the perfect texture. Enjoy this spicy and sweet stir-fried baby octopus, which is perfect as a side dish for rice or as a tasty appetizer!ㅎ
