Crisp and Special ‘Overgrown Spinach’ Namul Salad Recipe
Crisp and Special ‘Overgrown Spinach’ Namul Salad Recipe
A Special Namul Salad Made with Affordable and Delicious Overgrown Spinach
I was intrigued after hearing on a TV program that ‘overgrown spinach’ is both affordable and tasty. So, when I visited my local supermarket, I found large bunches of overgrown spinach for just 500 won each! I immediately bought one and tried making a salad. The taste was unlike regular spinach. It was crisp and had a unique flavor, so much so that you might not guess it was spinach if you didn’t know. It’s truly delicious! From now on, I’ll definitely be using overgrown spinach for my spinach salads. Give this unique spinach a try for a delightful side dish!
Main Ingredients- Overgrown spinach 350g
- Salt, a pinch (for blanching spinach)
Seasoning Ingredients- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 Tbsp
- Maesilcheong (Plum extract) 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 1 tsp
- Fish sauce (or soup soy sauce) 1 tsp
- Minced garlic 1 tsp
- Sesame oil (perilla oil) 1 Tbsp
- Sesame seeds 1 tsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 Tbsp
- Maesilcheong (Plum extract) 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 1 tsp
- Fish sauce (or soup soy sauce) 1 tsp
- Minced garlic 1 tsp
- Sesame oil (perilla oil) 1 Tbsp
- Sesame seeds 1 tsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly wash the fresh spinach under running water. Make sure to clean off any dirt. Then, separate the spinach into the stem part and the leaf part. This separation helps in controlling the blanching time more effectively.
Step 2
Fill a pot with plenty of water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, add a pinch of salt. First, add the sturdier spinach stems and blanch them for about 10 seconds. Adding a little salt will help the spinach retain its vibrant green color and maintain its crisp texture.
Step 3
After briefly blanching the stems, immediately add the spinach leaves. Gently stir everything together and blanch for just about 20-30 seconds. Be careful not to over-blanch, as this will make the spinach mushy and lose its crispness.
Step 4
As soon as the spinach is blanched, quickly remove it from the pot and plunge it into cold water. Rinsing it under cold water stops the cooking process and helps maintain its fresh, crisp texture.
Step 5
Take the spinach out of the cold water and gently squeeze out the excess water using your hands. Avoid squeezing too hard, as this can crush the spinach; a gentle squeeze is key. Place the squeezed spinach in a large bowl. Add all the seasoning ingredients except for the sesame oil and sesame seeds (gochujang, maesilcheong, soy sauce, fish sauce, minced garlic). Gently mix and toss the ingredients with your fingertips until well combined. Ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Step 6
Finally, add the sesame oil and sesame seeds for a nutty aroma and flavor. Toss lightly one more time to combine. Adding these at the end preserves their fresh fragrance.
Step 7
Once all the seasonings are well incorporated, transfer the delicious namul salad to a serving dish. Enjoy your healthy and flavorful overgrown spinach namul!
