Spicy Stir-Fried Seafood with Bean Sprouts
Spicy Stir-Fried Seafood with Bean Sprouts
Mastering the Art of Spicy Stir-Fried Seafood: A Detailed Recipe
This recipe features a delightful combination of tender seafood stir-fried in a zesty, spicy Korean gochujang sauce, served with a bed of crunchy bean sprouts. It’s a perfect dish that can be enjoyed as a hearty side dish with rice or as a delicious accompaniment to your favorite alcoholic beverages. While this recipe uses octopus and shrimp, feel free to experiment with other seafood like mussels, clams, scallops, or squid to create your own signature stir-fry!
Main Ingredients- 2 medium octopuses, cleaned
- 8 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 medium onion, cut into large pieces
- A small amount of carrot, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/3 pack fresh bean sprouts
- 15 cm (approx. 6 inches) green onion, cut into thick slices
- 1 green chili pepper, sliced
- 1 red chili pepper, sliced
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
Spicy Stir-Fry Sauce- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (or corn syrup)
- 1 Tbsp oligo-sugar (or corn syrup)
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger or ginger juice
- A pinch of black pepper
Bean Sprout Seasoning- 1 pinch salt
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (or corn syrup)
- 1 Tbsp oligo-sugar (or corn syrup)
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger or ginger juice
- A pinch of black pepper
Bean Sprout Seasoning- 1 pinch salt
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing your vegetables. Slice the onion into large, bite-sized pieces. Cut the green onion and chili peppers into thick, diagonal slices. If using carrot, slice it thinly, perhaps in a decorative shape, although it might not be very visible once stir-fried in the gochujang sauce.^^;
Step 2
Properly cleaning the octopus is key. Rinse the octopus thoroughly under cold running water. Then, generously coat it with flour and gently knead it. This process helps to effectively remove any impurities from the suckers and slime, ensuring a cleaner texture. After kneading with flour, rinse it multiple times under cold water until it’s completely clean.
Step 3
Now, let’s blanch the seafood to achieve the perfect texture. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the cleaned octopus and shrimp and blanch for just about 10 seconds. Be careful not to overcook, as this can make the seafood tough. Immediately drain the blanched seafood in a colander, pat it dry, and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
Step 4
Prepare the bean sprouts for a delightful crunch. Wash the bean sprouts thoroughly and blanch them in boiling water for about 3 minutes, keeping the lid on. The goal is to cook them until they are tender but still retain a pleasant crispness. Once blanched, drain them very well in a colander. In a bowl, gently toss the bean sprouts with a pinch of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of sesame oil. Set aside on a serving plate.
Step 5
Now, let’s start the stir-frying process. Preheat your wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add a generous amount of cooking oil. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Infusing the oil with garlic aroma at this stage will enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
Step 6
Once the garlic is fragrant, add the sliced onions to the pan. Stir-fry the onions until they become translucent and slightly softened. Cooking the onions well will bring out their natural sweetness, adding depth to the stir-fry.
Step 7
When the onions are tender, add the prepared green onions and chili peppers to the pan. Continue to stir-fry with the other vegetables until they are slightly wilted.
Step 8
Once the vegetables are partially cooked, add all the ‘Spicy Stir-Fry Sauce’ ingredients to the pan. Stir well to combine everything and cook until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the ingredients evenly. It’s best to do this over medium-low heat to prevent the sauce from burning.
Step 9
Finally, add the blanched octopus and shrimp to the pan. Stir-fry quickly to ensure they are coated with the sauce and heated through. Avoid overcooking to maintain the tender texture of the seafood. Taste the stir-fry and adjust the seasoning if needed: add a little more soy sauce if it’s not salty enough, or a bit more chili powder if you desire extra spiciness.
Step 10
Transfer the perfectly stir-fried spicy seafood onto the prepared bed of seasoned bean sprouts. Garnish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal. Your delicious Spicy Stir-Fried Seafood with Bean Sprouts is now ready to be enjoyed!
