Stir-Fried Garlic Scapes: A Delicious and Chewy Recipe
Make Garlic Scapes Like This: The Alluring Combination of Chewy Texture and Savory Flavor!
My parents farm in the countryside and grow various crops. In rural areas, rice farming, along with onions, garlic, and cabbage, is fundamental. When garlic scapes are in season, my mother always made stir-fried garlic scapes. I didn’t like them when I was young, but now I make them myself more often than she does! I enjoy them as a side dish for everyday meals, and I also use them to make delicious kimbap. Try making them deliciously!
Ingredients
- 300g garlic scapes
- 1/2 Tbsp salt (for blanching)
- 1 Tbsp vinegar (for washing)
Seasoning
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
- 2 soju cups water (approx. 1/3 of a paper cup)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp oligosaccharide
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
- 2 soju cups water (approx. 1/3 of a paper cup)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp oligosaccharide
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of sesame seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, to enhance freshness and remove impurities, wash the garlic scapes thoroughly under running water. For an even more effective clean, you can soak them in water with 1 tablespoon of vinegar for a while and shake them gently. After washing, rinse again with clean water, drain, and cut them into about 6-7cm lengths for easy eating.
Step 2
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add 1/2 tablespoon of salt and the prepared garlic scapes. Blanch them for precisely 2 minutes to maintain their crisp texture. Immediately after blanching, rinse the garlic scapes under cold water to cool them down. Drain them well in a colander; it’s crucial to remove as much water as possible, as excess moisture can make the stir-fry soggy.
Step 3
Now, let’s stir-fry. Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the drained garlic scapes and stir-fry gently. Even though they’ve been blanched, continue to stir-fry until the outer layers appear slightly lifted, like scales peeling, to achieve a chewier texture. You’ll notice the characteristic aroma of garlic scapes releasing.
Step 4
Once the garlic scapes are sufficiently stir-fried, add 2 soju cups of water (approximately 1/3 of a paper cup). This water helps the scapes absorb the seasoning. Keep the heat at medium-low.
Step 5
Add 3 tablespoons of soy sauce and stir-fry with the garlic scapes, ensuring everything is well combined. A good ratio to remember is about 1 tablespoon of soy sauce per 100g of garlic scapes. Stir continuously so the soy sauce evenly coats the scapes.
Step 6
This step is important for flavor penetration. Continue to stir-fry until most of the water has evaporated and the mixture is almost dry. If you taste it now, the outside might be seasoned, but the inside could still be bland. Don’t worry! Add another cup of water (using the same paper cup measurement) and continue to stir-fry until the liquid is almost gone again. This second cooking phase allows the seasoning to seep into the core of the garlic scapes.
Step 7
Finally, add 1/2 tablespoon of oligosaccharide for sweetness and a glossy finish, and stir-fry briefly. Taste and adjust if necessary; if it’s too salty, add a tiny bit more oligosaccharide to balance the flavor. Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and sprinkle with a pinch of sesame seeds for a nutty aroma. Your delicious stir-fried garlic scapes are ready!
Step 8
The freshly made stir-fried garlic scapes are a perfect side dish to enjoy with warm rice. Their chewy and slightly pungent texture also makes them an excellent addition to kimbap. Try adding them as a filling when making kimbap for a unique and delightful taste experience.
Step 9
To make kimbap, spread a thin layer of rice on a sheet of seaweed. Arrange the stir-fried garlic scapes, seasoned imitation crab meat, crunchy pickled radish, and spicy green chili peppers. You can add other ingredients according to your preference. Neatly layer the ingredients, then roll the seaweed tightly. You’ll have a simple yet special garlic scape kimbap! Who says side dishes can only be eaten with rice? Enjoying food in the most delicious way is what matters most!
