Aromatic Young Spinach Salad with Savory Beef Brisket
Fresh Spring Vegetable Recipe: Vibrant Young Spinach Salad and Flavorful Grilled Beef Brisket
This recipe features a delightful combination of a fresh and aromatic young spinach salad (Geotjeori) and savory grilled beef brisket. It’s a perfect spring dish that tantalizes your taste buds with the fragrant notes of young spinach and the rich umami of beef brisket.
Fresh Young Spinach Salad
- 150g fresh young spinach
- 1/2 onion
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1.5 Tbsp fish sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp sugar
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 1 Tbsp (generous) red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Savory Grilled Beef Brisket
- 600g thinly sliced beef brisket (frozen)
- 2 pinches salt
- A pinch of black pepper
- 600g thinly sliced beef brisket (frozen)
- 2 pinches salt
- A pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing the fresh young spinach. Rinse it thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Since this will be eaten raw, carefully remove any wilted leaves and trim off the tough, thick ends of the stems. After trimming, soak the spinach briefly in water with a little vinegar to further enhance its freshness.
Step 2
Next, thinly slice half an onion. Soak the sliced onions in cold water for a few minutes to remove their pungent and sharp flavor.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the delicious dressing for the salad. In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1.5 tablespoons of fish sauce for a rich umami base. Then, add 0.5 tablespoon of sugar and 0.5 tablespoon of minced garlic, mixing them well.
Step 4
Add 1.5 tablespoons of plum extract (maesilcheong) to the dressing for a touch of sweetness and a pleasant tanginess, which also helps reduce the need for extra sugar and vinegar. If you don’t have plum extract, you can slightly increase the amounts of sugar and vinegar to achieve a similar flavor profile. Finally, stir in 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar and 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes (gochugaru) to complete the flavorful dressing.
Step 5
Time to grill the beef brisket! We’re using 600g of thinly sliced frozen beef brisket, perfect for sharing with the whole family. This particular frozen brisket from E-Mart is a great value for its quality.
Step 6
While grilling, season the brisket with 2 pinches of salt and a pinch of black pepper to eliminate any gamey odor and enhance its flavor. Because the slices are very thin, they cook up quickly.
Step 7
Remove the young spinach from the vinegar-water soak, rinse it briefly under tap water, and gently shake off excess moisture. Cut the spinach into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl.
Step 8
Drain the soaked onion slices, squeezing out any excess water, and add them to the bowl with the spinach. Now, pour all the prepared dressing over the ingredients.
Step 9
It’s important to gently toss the salad to evenly coat the spinach and onions with the dressing. Avoid overmixing, which can bruise the delicate spinach. Using two spoons helps to gently combine everything without mashing the ingredients.
Step 10
Once everything is well coated, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of perilla oil and toss lightly once more. Finish by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds over the top for a delightful aroma and presentation. Your fresh young spinach salad is ready!
Step 11
And there you have it – a beautiful young spinach salad, which can also be called ‘Geotjeori’ or ‘Muchim’, is perfectly prepared! No matter what you call it, the taste is truly exceptional.
Step 12
To complete this stunning dish, artfully arrange the freshly grilled beef brisket slices on top of the prepared young spinach salad. The combination of the rich, savory beef brisket and the refreshingly tangy, aromatic spinach salad is absolutely divine! Eating them together creates an incredible synergy of flavors that will leave you feeling utterly satisfied. Beef brisket, with its inherent tenderness and flavorful fat, is perfectly suited for enjoying with a vibrant, fresh salad like this.
