Tender Octopus and Savory Beef Brisket Stir-fry
Tender Octopus and Savory Beef Brisket Stir-fry
Transform Leftover Octopus into a Delicious Beef Brisket Stir-fry
Worrying about what to do with leftover octopus from a special meal? Don’t! Stir-frying it with fresh beef brisket creates a fantastic meal or a special occasion delicacy. The subtle sweetness and rich umami will appeal to everyone, so be sure to try this recipe for using up leftover octopus!
Main Ingredients- Sliced Octopus 1 full bowl (approx. 150g)
- Beef Brisket (Usamgyeop) 100g
- Onion 1/2 medium
- Enoki Mushrooms 1/2 pack
- Carrot 1/4 medium
- Red Chili Peppers 2-3 (adjust to spice preference)
- Green Onion 1/2 stalk
- Celery Leaves a small amount (optional, for enhanced aroma)
Seasoning Ingredients- Soy Sauce 2 Tbsp
- Oyster Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Cooking Wine (Mirin, etc.) 1 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 1 Tbsp
- Ginger Syrup or Minced Ginger 1 Tbsp
- Black Pepper a pinch
- Sesame Oil 2 Tbsp
- Toasted Sesame Seeds a pinch (for garnish)
- Soy Sauce 2 Tbsp
- Oyster Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Cooking Wine (Mirin, etc.) 1 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 1 Tbsp
- Ginger Syrup or Minced Ginger 1 Tbsp
- Black Pepper a pinch
- Sesame Oil 2 Tbsp
- Toasted Sesame Seeds a pinch (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, slice the octopus into bite-sized pieces (about 1-2 cm). Prepare 100g of beef brisket. We’re using a generous full bowl of octopus for a rich texture.
Step 2
Prepare the vegetables. Thinly slice the half onion, and diagonally slice the red chili peppers after removing the seeds for color. Slice the carrot thinly or into strips, and cut the green onion into large 5cm pieces. Trim the base of the enoki mushrooms, rinse lightly under running water, and shake off excess moisture.
Step 3
Place the sliced onion and diagonally sliced red chili peppers in a bowl, ready for stir-frying.
Step 4
Set aside the rinsed and drained enoki mushrooms, the 5cm cut green onions, and the thinly sliced carrots, ready to be added to the pan. Wash the celery leaves; they add a lovely fragrance to the dish.
Step 5
Now, let’s stir-fry the beef brisket. Heat a pan over medium-high heat, add the 100g of beef brisket, and pour in 2 Tbsp of soy sauce. Stir-fry to allow the meat to absorb the seasoning.
Step 6
Once the beef is partially cooked, add 1 Tbsp of ginger syrup (or minced ginger) and 1 Tbsp of oyster sauce for enhanced umami.
Step 7
Add 1 Tbsp of sesame oil for a nutty aroma, and 1 Tbsp of cooking wine to remove any gamey smell and boost flavor.
Step 8
Add 1 Tbsp of minced garlic and a pinch of black pepper. Stir-fry until the seasoning is well combined with the beef brisket. It’s important to stir-fry over medium-high heat at this stage to prevent the meat’s juices from escaping, keeping the flavor concentrated.
Step 9
When the beef brisket is no longer pink and the seasoning is well incorporated, add the sliced octopus. Since the beef brisket itself has some fat, you likely won’t need to add extra oil.
Step 10
When stir-frying the octopus and beef brisket together, it’s crucial to maintain high heat. This prevents excess moisture from releasing from the ingredients, preserving their texture and concentrating the flavors.
Step 11
Now, let’s add the harder vegetables in order. Start with the carrots and onions, stir-frying until they begin to soften slightly. This releases their natural sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
Step 12
Next, add the green onions, red chili peppers, and enoki mushrooms, and stir-fry everything together. The fresh texture and vibrant colors of the vegetables make the dish visually appealing.
Step 13
Taste the stir-fry and if you feel it needs more seasoning, you can add a little more soy sauce or oyster sauce to adjust to your preference. Tasting and adjusting at this stage is key.
Step 14
Finally, add the aromatic celery leaves and quickly toss to incorporate their fragrance. Finish by sprinkling the remaining 1 Tbsp of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds. The subtle aroma of the celery leaves was a delightful secret ingredient! I think I’ll add more next time. If you prefer a spicier dish, you can add a little chili powder, similar to a spicy squid stir-fry. Your delicious Octopus and Beef Brisket Stir-fry is now complete!
