Crisp and Fresh Garlic Chives Salad (Buchu Geotjeori)
Crisp and Fresh Garlic Chives Salad (Buchu Geotjeori)
Quick & Easy Garlic Chives Salad: Bursting with Flavor and Nutrition!
Buchu Geotjeori, or fresh garlic chives salad, is the perfect companion to grilled meats! Even without meat, it stands proudly as a delicious and incredibly nutritious side dish. Rich in vitamins A and C, garlic chives are known by many names, including ‘jeongugi’, ‘soful’, ‘wondangcho’, and ‘giyangcho’ – quite a few, aren’t they? Hehe! Today, we’ll be making this nutritious chive salad. Let’s dive into a recipe that perfectly balances the refreshing sharpness of fresh chives with a sweet and tangy dressing, sure to whet your appetite.
Main Ingredients- Fresh garlic chives, 2 large handfuls
- 1/4 onion
- 2 Korean green peppers (or regular chili peppers)
- A small amount of carrot (for color)
Dressing- 1/4 onion (for blending)
- 1.5 Tbsp plum extract (maesil extract)
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (e.g., anchovy or sand lance sauce)
- 2 Tbsp red pepper flakes
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp ginger juice
- 0.5 Tbsp salted shrimp (saeujeot)
- 2 red chili peppers (for color and spice adjustment)
- 1/4 onion (for blending)
- 1.5 Tbsp plum extract (maesil extract)
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (e.g., anchovy or sand lance sauce)
- 2 Tbsp red pepper flakes
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp ginger juice
- 0.5 Tbsp salted shrimp (saeujeot)
- 2 red chili peppers (for color and spice adjustment)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly wash the fresh garlic chives under running water. Once drained, cut them into manageable lengths of about 4-5 cm. Cutting them to a suitable size will make them easier to eat.
Step 2
Prepare the vegetables that will add color and texture to your salad. Thinly slice or finely chop the onion. Remove the seeds from the chili peppers and chop them finely. Julienne the carrot thinly to make your chive salad visually appealing.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the delicious dressing! In a blender, combine the 1/4 onion for blending, 1.5 tablespoons of sweet plum extract, 1 tablespoon of savory fish sauce, 2 tablespoons of spicy red pepper flakes, 0.5 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of fragrant ginger juice, 0.5 tablespoon of salty salted shrimp, and 2 red chili peppers for color and heat. Blend until smooth. (If you don’t have a blender, you can finely mince all the ingredients.)
Step 4
Add the sliced onion, chopped chili peppers, and julienned carrot to the blended dressing. Mix everything together well. Making the dressing separately like this helps ensure the flavors are evenly distributed when you combine it with the chives.
Step 5
Finally, place the prepared garlic chives in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the chives. Remember, garlic chives are delicate, so avoid overmixing, which can make them mushy. Gently toss the chives with the dressing as if you were handling a baby, to preserve their crisp texture and fresh flavor. It’s best to mix quickly to prevent any ‘green’ or raw flavor from developing!
Step 6
Voila! Your fragrant and crisp garlic chives salad is ready. Serve it immediately alongside your favorite meat dishes or enjoy it as a standalone side dish. The fresh aroma of the chives combined with the spicy, sweet, and tangy dressing will have you reaching for more rice!
