Tender Stir-Fried Sea Mustard Stems Recipe
The Best Homemade Side Dish! How to Make Delicious and Tender Sea Mustard Stems with a Savory Flavor
Sea mustard stems can look simple, but they can often turn out tough or have a fishy smell when cooked! Today, I’ll share my mom’s secret tips for making perfectly tender and flavorful stir-fried sea mustard stems that anyone can easily follow. It’s a real rice thief!
Ingredients
- 500g Salted Sea Mustard Stems (rinsed and desalted)
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (Guk-ganjang or Jin-ganjang)
- 0.5 Tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 0.5 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds (ground or whole)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, place the salted sea mustard stems in a bowl and rinse them thoroughly 2-3 times under cold running water. It’s important to wash off the saltiness to prevent a bitter taste. After rinsing, soak the sea mustard stems in cold water for about 15 to 20 minutes to completely remove any remaining salt. It’s a good idea to change the water once during this soaking period.
Step 2
Fill a pot with plenty of water and bring it to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add the desalted sea mustard stems and blanch them for about 3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become mushy.
Step 3
This step is the secret to making your sea mustard stems tender and free of any fishy smell! Briefly blanching them tenderizes their naturally chewy texture and removes any unpleasant oceanic odor, resulting in a much cleaner taste. Using this method greatly reduces the chance of failure!
Step 4
Quickly remove the blanched sea mustard stems from the boiling water and rinse them under cold water to cool them down. Then, gently squeeze them with both hands to remove as much water as possible. If excess water remains, the stir-fry can taste bland. Once squeezed, cut the sea mustard stems into bite-sized pieces, about 5-7 cm long.
Step 5
Heat cooking oil (2 Tbsp) in a pan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic (0.5 Tbsp) and stir-fry until fragrant. Once the garlic aroma starts to fill the air, add the prepared sea mustard stems and stir-fry for about 1 minute. Then, carefully pour the soy sauce (1 Tbsp) around the edges of the pan. Allowing the soy sauce to slightly caramelize will add a savory depth of flavor. After cooking for another minute with the soy sauce, add the brown sugar (0.5 Tbsp) and mix everything together well.
Step 6
Continue to stir-fry for about 3 more minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Avoid overcooking, as this can dry out the stems and make them tough. Cook just until all the ingredients are well combined.
Step 7
Finally, turn off the heat. Stir in the sesame oil (1 Tbsp) and toasted sesame seeds (0.5 Tbsp). Give it a final gentle toss to combine everything. Your delicious stir-fried sea mustard stems are ready! The nutty aroma of sesame oil and seeds adds a wonderful finish. Serve it over warm rice and enjoy!
