Crisp Radish and Aromatic Laver Salad: A Sweet and Tangy Seasonal Recipe
Crisp Radish and Aromatic Laver Salad: A Sweet and Tangy Seasonal Recipe
How to Make Sea Grapes Salad with Radish, Delicious Seasoning Recipe, Easy for Beginners
Introducing a seasonal delicacy brimming with the fresh scent of the sea: Laver Salad (Palae Muchim). You can easily find fresh laver at the market these days. The chewy and tender laver, combined with crisp radish and seasoned with a sweet and tangy dressing, makes for an irresistible side dish that will have you reaching for seconds. Packed with vitamins and minerals, laver is also great for dieting and is perfect for stimulating your appetite during seasonal changes. I’ll guide you through everything from preparing and thoroughly washing the laver to the secrets of a delicious seasoning. Tonight, enrich your dinner table with this healthy and flavorful seasonal laver salad!
Main Ingredients- 2 clumps of fresh laver (approx. 200g after preparation)
- 130g crisp radish
- 1 Tbsp minced green onion
- 1/2 red chili pepper (optional)
Sweet and Tangy Seasoning- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp double-strength vinegar (or 2-3 Tbsp regular vinegar)
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce)
For Washing Laver- 1 Tbsp coarse sea salt
For Pickling Radish- 0.5 Tbsp coarse sea salt
- 2/3 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp double-strength vinegar (or 2-3 Tbsp regular vinegar)
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce)
For Washing Laver- 1 Tbsp coarse sea salt
For Pickling Radish- 0.5 Tbsp coarse sea salt
- 2/3 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 0.5 Tbsp coarse sea salt
- 2/3 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Laver is a treasure from the sea, rich in beneficial nutrients like iodine, calcium, and dietary fiber. It’s highly regarded as a health food, especially popular for dieting due to its low calorie count and abundant fiber. Its high calcium content is good for bone health, and its iron makes it helpful for preventing anemia. Consuming it with foods rich in Vitamin C can enhance iron absorption.
Step 2
Prepare 2 clumps of fresh laver and the radish. Wash the radish thoroughly and slice it thinly into matchsticks. Finely chop the green onions and thinly julienne the red chili pepper, removing the seeds. The chili pepper adds color; if unavailable, you can omit it or use very thinly sliced carrots.
Step 3
First, let’s pickle the radish. In a bowl with the julienned radish, add 0.5 Tbsp coarse sea salt, 2/3 Tbsp sugar, and 1 Tbsp vinegar. Gently mix, then let it sit for about 20 minutes to pickle. After pickling, squeeze out any excess water thoroughly. For a milder, sweeter taste, it’s best to use the upper, greener part of the radish.
Step 4
While the radish is pickling, wash the laver thoroughly. Place the 2 clumps of laver in a large bowl. Add 1 Tbsp coarse sea salt and a little water. Gently rub the laver between your hands (‘barak-barak’ motion) to loosen it and wash away any impurities. Rinse it several times until the water runs clear.
Step 5
After washing, drain the laver well in a colander. Gently press out any remaining water with your hands. Break apart any clumps into bite-sized pieces and fluff them up so the seasoning can be absorbed evenly.
Step 6
In a large bowl, combine the prepared laver and the squeezed radish. Add the chopped green onions and julienned red chili pepper. Then, add the minced garlic and double-strength vinegar. If you don’t have double-strength vinegar, regular vinegar can be used in a larger quantity (2-3 Tbsp). Adjust the amount of vinegar to your preference.
Step 7
Add 1 Tbsp fish sauce for a sweet and tangy flavor, and 1.5 Tbsp unrefined sugar. You can substitute fish sauce with soy sauce or anchovy sauce. If using white sugar, it’s recommended to use a slightly smaller amount. Now, gently mix everything together with your hands until well combined. When mixing, be sure to gently toss the laver so it doesn’t clump together.
Step 8
Transfer the seasoned laver salad generously into a serving dish. The fresh sea aroma of the laver combined with the crisp radish creates a wonderful side dish that stimulates the appetite. A sprinkle of sesame seeds on top would make it even more appealing (I forgot this time!).
Step 9
The satisfying crunch of the radish and the tender texture of the laver create a truly delightful harmony in your mouth. Reawaken your appetite with this delicious laver salad that captures the freshness of the sea. Lightly grinding some toasted sesame seeds on top would add an extra nutty aroma.
Step 10
Laver is in season now, making it an excellent value side dish – affordable and packed with nutrients. I highly recommend this refreshing laver salad for your dinner tonight. Follow this recipe to easily make it at home! The whole family will love it.
