Stir-fried Dried Pollack and Garlic Scapes: A Sweet and Savory Side Dish from Seasonal Garlic Scapes
Stir-fried Dried Pollack and Garlic Scapes: A Sweet and Savory Side Dish from Seasonal Garlic Scapes
Stir-fried Garlic Scapes with Soy Sauce and Dried Pollack Recipe: A Perfect Side Dish
Start your day by introducing this delicious stir-fried garlic scape dish, made with fresh, seasonal garlic scapes and savory dried pollack! Garlic scapes, in season right now, are perfect for stir-fries or pickling to make excellent side dishes. While shrimp are often used in garlic scape stir-fries, this recipe features dried pollack for a unique twist. There’s no strict rule to use only dried shrimp; feel free to get creative! This recipe offers a delightful sweet and savory flavor profile that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Main Ingredients- 200g Garlic Scapes (use fresh, domestic ones if possible)
- 30g Dried Pollack (shredded or cut into bite-sized pieces)
Seasoning Sauce- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (or Anchovy Sauce)
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (Rice Wine)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Corn Syrup (or Oligosaccharide/Allulose)
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 50ml Water
- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (or Anchovy Sauce)
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (Rice Wine)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Corn Syrup (or Oligosaccharide/Allulose)
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 50ml Water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Garlic scapes are in season now, making it easy to find fresh, domestic ones. These vibrant green stalks, also known as garlic shoots or garlic sprouts, possess a mild garlic flavor that’s less pungent than raw garlic, making them an excellent ingredient for side dishes. They are rich in Vitamin C and dietary fiber, contributing to good health. Garlic scapes can help prevent hardening of the arteries and cancer, promote blood circulation, and their aromatic compounds, like allyl sulfide, aid in Vitamin B absorption and offer tonic, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects.
Step 2
If you’re using frozen garlic scapes, thaw them in cool water before stir-frying. This helps retain their crisp texture. For freezing, it’s best to blanch them briefly, cool them down, and then freeze with a little water. This way, you can easily prepare garlic scape dishes anytime. Using garlic scapes out of season might mean they aren’t domestic, so preserving them during their peak season is ideal. Today, we’re substituting dried pollack for the usual dried shrimp, and we have blanched garlic scapes ready to go.
Step 3
Cut the dried pollack into pieces about the same size as the garlic scapes (approximately 3-4 cm), suitable for easy eating. Rinse them lightly in cold water once, then gently squeeze out any excess moisture with your hands. Removing excess water helps the seasoning to penetrate better and results in a more delicious texture when stir-fried.
Step 4
In a heated pan, combine 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, and 2 tablespoons of mirin to form the base of the seasoning sauce.
Step 5
Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and 2 tablespoons of corn syrup to the pan. Pour in 50ml of water and bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat to create the sauce. You can substitute corn syrup with oligosaccharide or allulose if preferred.
Step 6
Once the sauce begins to simmer, add the prepared dried pollack and stir briefly to coat it evenly with the seasoning. After the pollack has absorbed some of the sauce, add the prepared garlic scapes and stir-fry them together.
Step 7
Continue to stir-fry over medium-low heat, ensuring the garlic scapes and dried pollack are well coated with the delicious sauce. Cook just until the garlic scapes are tender-crisp, avoiding overcooking them to mushiness. Finally, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds to complete this flavorful stir-fried dried pollack and garlic scape dish.
Step 8
Transfer the finished stir-fry to a serving plate for an appealing presentation. A final sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal. This dish offers a delightful balance of savory and sweet notes, making it an excellent accompaniment to rice. The unique savory flavor of the dried pollack, combined with the crispness of the garlic scapes and the sweet-savory sauce, creates a delicious side dish that’s distinct from shrimp stir-fries.
Step 9
You can easily and quickly create delicious side dishes by utilizing simple ingredients you already have at home. This dried pollack and garlic scape stir-fry is a recipe that yields excellent results without requiring advanced cooking techniques.
Step 10
Stir-frying garlic scapes with this soy sauce-based seasoning neutralizes any raw pungency or bitterness, making them enjoyable for everyone. The tender texture of the garlic scapes, the savory taste of the dried pollack, and the well-balanced sweet and savory sauce create a dish so satisfying that it can easily lead to finishing a bowl of rice in no time. It proves that you don’t need dried shrimp to make a delicious side dish.
Step 11
Since garlic scapes are in season now, it’s the perfect time to enjoy them! Besides stir-frying, they are also delicious when made into spicy gochujang (chili paste) salads or sweet and sour pickles. I plan to buy more garlic scapes myself to make some pickles. Enjoy your delicious cooking and happy meals!
