Stir-fried dried anchovies and peanuts

1 cup tiny dried anchovies (2 ounces: 60 grams)

½ cup roasted peanuts (or walnuts, sliced almonds, or any of your favorite nuts), optional

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 large garlic clove, minced

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon water

1 tablespoon brown (or white) sugar

1 teaspoon rice syrup, optional

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

Put the dried anchovies in a colander. Shake and toss them so that the smallest bits and broken pieces fall through.

Combine the soy sauce. water, sugar, and rice syrup in a small bowl. Mix well.

Heat a skillet over medium high heat and add vegetable oil. Add the garlic and stir with a wooden spoon for 10 seconds.

Add the anchovies and peanuts. Turn the heat down to medium and stir for a few minutes, until the peanuts and anchovies turn light brown and crunchy. 

Push the anchovies and peanuts to the edge of the skillet. Remove from the heat and add the seasoning mixture to the cleared out-spot. The skillet will still be plenty hot enough, so gently stir the seasoning with a wooden spoon until is starts bubbling.

Mix the seasonings with the anchovies and peanuts until they are well coated.

Stir in the sesame oil and sesame seeds.

Serve right away with rice, or let it cool down and transfer the anchovies to an airtight container. You can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.