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Maneuljjong bokkeum
Maneuljjong bokkeum (마늘쫑볶음): garlic scapes stir-fried with soy, rice syrup and sesame
In late spring Korean markets sell thick bundles of garlic scapes, the curly green shoots of the garlic plant, and they become maneuljjong bokkeum, a sweet-salty, glossy banchan that keeps for days and is a dependable dosirak side. The scapes taste of mild garlic and stay pleasantly snappy. The common mistake is glazing them too early, before they are tender, so the syrup burns and the scapes stay woody. Chef's tip: fry the scapes in oil first until they turn bright green and slightly blistered, then add the sauce and toss for only a minute.
- Total time
- 13 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 7 oz garlic scapeswoody ends trimmed
- 1 tbsp neutral oil
- 1 ½ tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice syrup (ssal-yeot)or maple syrup
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Cut 7 oz garlic scapes into 4 cm lengths.
Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp neutral oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat and stir-fry the scapes for 3–4 minutes, until bright green with a few blisters and just tender when bitten.
4 minStep 3: Add 1 ½ tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice syrup (ssal-yeot) and 2 tbsp water and toss for 1–2 minutes, until the sauce has reduced to a glaze coating each piece.
2 minStep 4: Off the heat, toss in 1 tsp toasted sesame oil and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds. Cool and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days; pack cold.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 80 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 12 g
- Fat
- 3 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does maneuljjong bokkeum take?
- About 13 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 8 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of soy sauce?
- Tamari, same amount (gluten free).
- What can I use instead of toasted sesame oil?
- Toasted sesame seeds ground with a little vegetable oil.
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