Aromatic Crown Daisy Salad (Ssukgat Namul Muchim)
Super Simple Side Dish: Fragrant Crown Daisy Salad Recipe
This is a delightful vegetable side dish infused with the fresh, aromatic scent of crown daisy. Its slightly bitter yet tender leaves, combined with fragrant sesame oil and a savory soy sauce dressing, make it an irresistible accompaniment to rice. It’s incredibly easy to make with just a few simple ingredients, so why not add a touch of spring to your dinner table today?
Basic Ingredients
- 200g Crown Daisy (Ssukgat), about 1 handful
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce for Soup (Guk-ganjang)
- Pinch of Salt (for seasoning)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- A little Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the crown daisy thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris. If the stems are too thick or tough, you can trim them slightly with a knife to make them more tender. It’s best to use the more tender parts.
Step 2
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, adding a pinch of salt. Once boiling, add the prepared crown daisy and blanch for exactly 1 minute. Crown daisy cooks very quickly; overcooking can make it mushy and diminish its nutrients. The key is to blanch it just until its vibrant green color intensifies.
Step 3
Immediately after blanching, rinse the crown daisy under cold running water. This step helps to maintain its crisp texture and bright green color. Before squeezing out the water, gather the crown daisy into a few handfuls and gently press down with your palms to squeeze out as much water as possible. Excess water can make the salad taste bland.
Step 4
Once the water is squeezed out, cut the crown daisy into bite-sized pieces. Cutting them into manageable lengths, not too long, will make them easier to eat with chopsticks later.
Step 5
Now it’s time for seasoning. In a bowl, combine the cut crown daisy with 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce for soup. It’s advisable to start with less seasoning and adjust the taste with salt later. Using soy sauce for soup adds a unique savory depth. Gently mix the ingredients together.
Step 6
Finally, add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and 1 tablespoon of crushed sesame seeds for extra flavor and nuttiness. Mix gently again. Adding sesame oil and seeds will significantly enhance the fragrant and nutty notes of the crown daisy salad.
Step 7
Transfer the finished crown daisy salad to a serving dish and sprinkle with a little sesame seeds for garnish. Your fragrant and delicious crown daisy namul muchim is ready! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice.
