Must-Try Recipe! Stir-Fried Squash with Mentaiko 명란 호박 볶음

Stir-Fried Squash with Mentaiko 명란 호박 볶음

Get ready to delight your taste buds with Stir-Fried Squash with Mentaiko, a dish that is as delicious as it is healthy. The tender texture of squash pairs beautifully with the chewy skin of mentaiko (seasoned pollock roe), creating a dish that’s both savory and slightly sweet. The deep umami flavor of mentaiko, enhanced by a sprinkle of gochugaru (Korean chili powder), brings the dish to life, adding a vibrant kick that perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the squash. Mentaiko, a popular ingredient in both Korean and Japanese cuisine, is known for its rich, briny flavor and slightly spicy kick. It’s often enjoyed in various dishes, from simple onigiri to more complex pastas and stir-fries. Learn more about mentaiko and its culinary uses from reliable Korean cooking sources.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 yellow squash, diced
• 1/2 green squash, diced
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 1 all-purpose broth tablet
• 2 mentaiko roe
• 1/2 T Korean chili powder (gochugaru)
• 1/2 T minced garlic
• 1/2 sliced red pepper
• 1 green onion, sliced
• 1 T sesame or perilla oil

Instructions:

1. Heat the pan with sesame or perilla oil.
2. Add the diced squash and sliced onion, and cook for about 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften.
3. Break the all-purpose broth tablet into powder with your fingers and sprinkle it over the vegetables.
4. Stir in the minced garlic and continue cooking.
5. Pour in 150ml of water, then add the mentaiko roe and gochugaru. Continue stir-frying, allowing the mentaiko to break apart and coat the vegetables with its rich flavor.
6. Stir-fry until the water in the pan has reduced, leaving a savory, umami-rich glaze on the squash.
7. Finish with a drizzle of sesame or perilla oil, and garnish with sliced red pepper and green onion.

Serving Suggestions:
Serve this dish hot, as a side dish in a Korean meal, or enjoy it over a bowl of steamed rice for a satisfying main course. The combination of flavors and textures makes it a standout dish that's both comforting and exciting.