Sweet & Crispy Anchovy and Nut Stir-fry
Kid-Friendly Anchovy and Nut Stir-fry Recipe: Perfect for a Quick Side Dish!
Introducing a delightful anchovy stir-fry recipe that kids will absolutely adore! This dish is sweet, crispy, and incredibly savory, thanks to the perfect combination of anchovies and nuts. It’s a fantastic way to pack in nutrition and flavor, making it an irresistible side dish that everyone will enjoy. Prepare this easy recipe for a delightful addition to your meal rotation.
Main Ingredients
- 150g small dried anchovies
- 1 packet of ‘Haru Kengwo’ mixed nuts (or your preferred nuts)
- Sesame seeds, a pinch
- Cooking oil, a little
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp oligo syrup (or corn syrup)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 2 Tbsp oligo syrup (or corn syrup)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the delicious sauce for our stir-fry. In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of oligo syrup, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise, and 1 tablespoon of cooking wine. Whisk everything together until well combined. The mayonnaise adds a wonderful creaminess and savory depth to the sauce.
Step 2
Next, we’ll prepare the nuts. Feel free to use any nuts you like that you have on hand! I’m using a convenient packet of ‘Haru Kengwo’ mixed nuts for this recipe. Chop the nuts finely with a knife to a size that’s easy to eat. It’s best to chop them so there’s still a slight bit of texture, rather than making them into a fine powder.
Step 3
Now, let’s get the small dried anchovies ready. Gently rinse the anchovies under running water to remove any debris. Drain them thoroughly in a colander, making sure to shake off excess water. It’s crucial to get them as dry as possible, as any remaining moisture can make the stir-fry soggy.
Step 4
Heat a dry, ungreased stir-fry pan over medium heat. Add the dried anchovies and stir-fry them for a few minutes until they become fragrant and lose their moisture. You’ll hear them start to crackle. Once dry, carefully wipe the pan clean. Add a little cooking oil, then return the dried anchovies to the pan. Continue to stir-fry over medium heat, almost like frying them, until they are lightly golden and crisp. Be sure to stir constantly to prevent them from burning.
Step 5
When the anchovies are nicely toasted and have a good crunch, add all the chopped nuts to the pan. Gently toss everything together to combine the nuts with the anchovies, stir-frying for about 1 minute more.
Step 6
Now, reduce the heat to low. Pour the prepared sauce over the anchovies and nuts. Quickly stir everything together to ensure the sauce evenly coats everything. This step is crucial because the anchovies can burn very easily once the sauce is added. If you’re worried about burning, you can briefly turn off the heat while you mix the sauce in thoroughly, then turn the heat back on and continue stir-frying.
Step 7
Once the sauce is well coated and glossy, turn off the heat. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for an extra layer of nutty aroma.
Step 8
Finally, sprinkle in a pinch of sesame seeds and give it one final gentle mix. Your sweet, crispy, and savory anchovy and nut stir-fry, a favorite among children, is now complete! It’s bursting with flavor and texture.
Step 9
This anchovy stir-fry is a fantastic side dish on its own. But if you want to get creative, here’s another idea! Finely chop the completed stir-fry. Mix the chopped stir-fry with finely chopped pickled radish and seaweed flakes. You can then use this mixture to form delicious, bite-sized rice balls, creating another delightful meal that kids will love. Enjoy this nutritious and flavorful anchovy and nut stir-fry – it’s definitely worth trying!
