Crisp and Sweet Blanched Cabbage Salad
A Refreshing and Healthy Cabbage Side Dish: Perfect for Kids’ Meals, Diets, and Healthy Eating!
Introducing a delightful blanched cabbage side dish that’s both comforting and flavorful. Instead of a raw salad or stir-fry, this simple preparation method brings out a unique sweetness and satisfying crispness from the cabbage, making it a wonderfully different way to enjoy this versatile vegetable. It’s easy on the stomach and delicious too!
Main Ingredients
- Fresh Cabbage: 200g (approximately 1/4 of a medium-sized cabbage)
Seasoning
- Minced Garlic: 1/2 Tbsp (add a little more if you love garlic flavor)
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: 1 Tbsp (adds a nutty aroma)
- Soup Soy Sauce (Guk-ganjang): 1 tsp (enhances umami)
- Salt: 1 pinch (to season)
- Sesame Oil: 1 tsp (for finishing aroma and shine)
- Minced Garlic: 1/2 Tbsp (add a little more if you love garlic flavor)
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: 1 Tbsp (adds a nutty aroma)
- Soup Soy Sauce (Guk-ganjang): 1 tsp (enhances umami)
- Salt: 1 pinch (to season)
- Sesame Oil: 1 tsp (for finishing aroma and shine)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, remove the outer leaves of the cabbage, wash it thoroughly, and then cut it into thick shreds about 0.5cm wide. Slicing it a bit thicker than usual will help maintain a pleasant crunch after cooking, so avoid making the shreds too thin.
Step 2
Bring a generous amount of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Once the water is boiling vigorously, add the prepared shredded cabbage and blanch for precisely 20 seconds. Timing is crucial here; over-blanching will make it too soft!
Step 3
As soon as you remove the blanched cabbage from the hot water, immediately plunge it into cold water to cool it down quickly. This step is key to preserving the cabbage’s crisp texture and preventing it from overcooking, while also keeping its vibrant color.
Step 4
Gently squeeze out the excess water from the cooled cabbage with your hands. Be careful not to squeeze too hard, as this can make the texture dry. Place the lightly squeezed cabbage into a mixing bowl. Now, add all the seasoning ingredients: minced garlic, toasted sesame seeds, soup soy sauce, salt, and sesame oil.
Step 5
Using your hands, gently mix and toss the cabbage with the seasonings until everything is evenly combined. The trick is to mix delicately so you don’t mash the cabbage. Once the seasonings are well-distributed and coat the cabbage, your delicious blanched cabbage side dish is ready to serve!
