Dried Anchovies and Dried Radish Stir-Fry 炒小魚蘿蔔乾

Should be few years back, I found out that my calcium intake was too low after a health check-up. Slowly taking action one smaller step at a time, I've been taking calcium supplement daily, if I remember. Starting this year, I've also try to eat more fish instead of red meat for that extra calcium boost. That's why there're more fish-related recipes nowadays. 

Dried anchovies and dried radish stir-fry 炒小魚蘿蔔乾 -

Ingredients?

• 120 grams small or medium sized dried anchovies 
• 1 cup dried radish
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 red chilies
• 2 tablespoons dried shrimps (蝦米)
• 2 tablespoons salted black beans in oil (豆鼓)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Chinese rice cooking wine
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce

How?

Soak the dried shrimps in water for about 10 minutes, then squeeze dry with a cloth or kitchen towel. Finely chop the shrimps.

Rinse the dried radish in order to wash away some of its salty taste. Once done, dry well with a cloth or kitchen towel, try to squeeze out all the liquid if possible. Give the dried radish a few chops if the size is bigger than a small pea. Just keep in mind that dried radish provides a chewy crunchy texture. Smaller the dried radish, easier the chew, but not too tiny and loss all that chewing fun.

Peel and finely chop the garlic cloves. Destem and finely chop the red chilies.

Use a wok or a big pan, drizzle about 2 tablespoons of olive oil and switch to medium heat. Add in dried shrimps and cook for about 30 seconds. Add in garlic and red chilies, continue to cook till aromatic and the shrimps turn slightly browned, but not burning the garlic pieces.

Add in dried radish and anchovies, give it a quick stir then add in 2 tablespoons salted black beans, 1 tablespoon Chinese rice cooking wine, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Mix and cook till these ingredients turn soft enough to chew. The whole mixture should look fairly dry instead of oily or saucy towards the end.

Plate and serve. Highly recommend to serve this stir-fry as a side dish with steamed rice. It'll work great as condiments for dry noodles, just remember to add more seasonings such as sesame oil and soy sauce when blended together with noodles.


Other Asian stir-fry recipes:

• Peas and shrimps quick stir-fry
• Water lily stir-fry with cordia dichotoma 破布子炒水蓮
• Kung pao cabbage
• Miso beef stir-fry 味噌炒牛肉