RECIPE

KINPIRA GOBO

Stir-fried burdock root and carrots glazed in a savory-sweet sauce with chili flakes and sesame. An easy make-ahead side that's perfect for bento.

INGREDIENTS

- 1 tablespoon vinegar - 250 grams gobo (burdock root) - 140 grams carrot (1 small carrot) - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil - chili flakes, to taste - 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar - 1/4 cup sake - 1 tablespoon soy sauce - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

1

Prepare a bowl of cold water and add the vinegar to it.

BOWL OF WATER

2

Peel the gobo in segments and then cut it into 2-3 inch long pieces. Add the cut pieces into the vinegar water immediately.

PEEL & CUT

3

Working 1 piece at a time, slice the gobo thinly with the grain. Stack the slices and cut them into thin strips. Add the julienned burdock to the vinegar water.

JULIENNE GOBO

4

Peel and cut the carrot into segments and then cut the segments into thin slices. Stack the slices and cut them into thin strips. 

JULIENNE CARROTS

5

Drain the gobo and then rinse it under cold water. Shake the strainer to drain as much water off of the gobo as you can. 

DRAIN & RINSE GOBO

6

Heat a frying pan over high heat and the oil and chili peppers, swirl to coat the pan and then add the gobo and carrots. Stir-fry until wilted.  

WILT VEGGIES

7

Add the brown sugar and continue stir-frying for another 2-3 minutes or until all of the water that's been released by the vegetables has been evaporated. 

ADD SUGAR

8

Add the sake, soy sauce and salt and continue stir-frying until there is no liquid left in the. pan and the sauce has started to caramelize around the vegetables. 

SEASON KINPIRA

9

Toss the sesame seeds into the Kinpira Gobo, and stir to distribute evenly. 

ADD SESAME SEEDS