Spicy Gochujang Pasta with Baby Octopus
Spicy Gochujang Pasta with Baby Octopus
Fusion Delight: Baby Octopus Gochujang Pasta Recipe
Tired of just cream, tomato, or oil-based pasta sauces? Pay attention! This recipe brings together the spicy kick of gochujang and the chewy texture of baby octopus for a fantastic fusion pasta. You’ll be captivated by this unexpected new flavor!
Key Ingredients- 1 baby octopus, cleaned and prepared
- 1/2 onion
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 handful oyster mushrooms
- 100g ground pork (or thinly sliced pork)
- 5 perilla leaves (kkaennip)
- 50g mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1 serving pasta noodles
- 4 Tbsp store-bought tomato pasta sauce
- 1.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all your ingredients. Clean the baby octopus and cut it into 2-3 cm pieces. Slice the onion thinly. Mince 2 Tbsp of garlic. Trim the base of the oyster mushrooms and separate them into strands. If using thinly sliced pork, prepare it; if using ground pork, have it ready. Thinly slice the perilla leaves by rolling them up. This preparation ensures everything is ready for quick cooking.
Step 2
Heat a wide pan over medium heat and add 2 Tbsp of olive oil. Add the thinly sliced onion and 1 Tbsp of minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Once the onion begins to turn translucent, add the pork. Break it up with your spatula and cook until browned, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper.
Step 3
Once the pork is cooked, add the prepared baby octopus and oyster mushrooms to the pan. Stir-fry them. To prevent the baby octopus from becoming tough, it’s best to cook it quickly over medium-low heat rather than high heat. When the octopus turns red, move on to the next step.
Step 4
At this point, reserve about half a ladleful (approx. 50-60ml) of the pasta cooking water and add it to the pan. Stir in 1.5 Tbsp of gochujang, 1 Tbsp of gochugaru, and 4 Tbsp of tomato pasta sauce. Let it simmer briefly, ensuring all ingredients are well combined. You’ll notice a spicy aroma as the sauce melds together.
Step 5
Once the sauce is gently simmering, add the cooked pasta noodles to the pan. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. It’s best to stir-fry over high heat for a short time to prevent the pasta from getting soggy. Finally, taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed.
Step 6
Transfer the finished pasta to a serving plate. Generously sprinkle mozzarella cheese over one side of the pasta. Microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Finish by scattering the thinly sliced perilla leaves over the top for added fragrance and freshness. Enjoy your delicious meal!
