Japanese cuisine · Vegetable Dishes

Piman no Jako Itame

Green bell pepper strips stir-fried crisp with tiny dried sardines and soy sauce.

Ingredients · for 4 servings

• 6 green bell peppers (approx. 500 g)
• 40 g chirimen jako (tiny dried sardines)
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp mirin
• 1 tbsp sake
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 1 pinch chili flakes

Instructions

1. Halve the bell peppers, deseed and cut lengthwise into narrow 5 mm strips so they stay crisp when quickly fried.
2. Stir the soy sauce, mirin, sake and sugar together in a small bowl and set aside.
3. Warm the sesame oil in a pan over medium heat and toast the dried sardines for 1–2 min. until crisp and fragrantly nutty.
4. Raise the heat, add the bell pepper strips and fry for 3–4 min., turning constantly, until they are bright green with the first browned spots at the edges.
5. Pour in the sauce mixture and let it reduce uncovered for 1–2 min. until the liquid has evaporated and everything is glossily coated.
6. Sprinkle with chili flakes and sesame seeds and serve warm or cooled as a side dish with rice.