Aromatic Spring Vegetable: Seasoned Colt’s Foot (Meowui Namul) Recipe
Aromatic Spring Vegetable: Seasoned Colt’s Foot (Meowui Namul) Recipe
A Slightly Bitter Colt’s Foot Side Dish to Boost Immunity – A Nutritious Spring Delight
Let me show you how to make a simple seasoned colt’s foot namul. Colt’s foot is characterized by its unique slightly bitter taste. Enjoyed often in spring, it’s delicious as a seasoned side dish or pickled. We prefer to harvest young colt’s foot leaves, blanch them, and then season them as a namul. This slightly bitter vegetable is truly a ‘spring tonic’. In times like these, when we might be spending more time indoors and our immunity can falter, why not boost your health with spring’s own colt’s foot namul? Rich in dietary fiber, colt’s foot is known to help lower cholesterol levels and may aid in preventing hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis, and other adult diseases. Be sure to incorporate it into your diet this spring! This recipe will guide you through creating a flavorful and healthy dish.
Ingredients- 186g Colt’s Foot (Meowui Namul)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (Jipganjang)
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Pinch Salt
- A little Toasted Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s prepare the colt’s foot. Shorter stems tend to have a milder bitterness, making them ideal for eating now. First, trim the tough ends of the colt’s foot. Discard any wilted or damaged leaves. Rinse the greens thoroughly under running water multiple times to remove any dirt or debris.
Step 2
Now, it’s time to blanch the colt’s foot. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt. If the stem parts are firm, blanch for about 30 seconds. Be careful not to overcook, as the leaves can become mushy and lose their pleasant texture. 30 seconds is generally the perfect amount of time.
Step 3
Immediately rinse the blanched colt’s foot under cold running water. This helps remove any remaining impurities and retains its crisp texture. Since the colt’s foot is short, you won’t need to cut it; it’s already bite-sized. Gently squeeze out any excess water from the clean colt’s foot.
Step 4
Now for the seasoning! In a bowl, combine the squeezed colt’s foot with 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, and a little toasted sesame seeds. Gently mix and massage the ingredients together with your hands until well combined. For a different flavor profile, you can also try seasoning it with soybean paste (doenjang) or red pepper paste (gochujang). The natural flavor of colt’s foot is quite strong, so you can even omit the minced garlic or use just soy sauce and salt to truly appreciate its unique taste.
