Crunchy and Refreshing Bellflower and Cucumber Salad Recipe
Mouthwatering Sweet and Sour Bellflower and Cucumber Salad!
Worried about yellow dust and pollen? This recipe features a delightful sweet and sour salad made with crisp Korean cucumbers and fragrant bellflower roots. Bellflower is known for its benefits for respiratory health, making it a perfect side dish, especially during seasonal changes. It’s simple, delicious, and a must-try!
Main Ingredients
- 300g peeled bellflower root
- 2 Korean cucumbers
Seasoning Ingredients
- 1 tsp salt (for bellflower)
- 1 tsp salt (for cucumber)
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp oligo syrup
- 1.5 Tbsp apple cider vinegar (if using 2x concentrated vinegar)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- Pinch of salt (to adjust seasoning)
- Pinch of sesame seeds
- 1 tsp salt (for bellflower)
- 1 tsp salt (for cucumber)
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp oligo syrup
- 1.5 Tbsp apple cider vinegar (if using 2x concentrated vinegar)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- Pinch of salt (to adjust seasoning)
- Pinch of sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the peeled bellflower root. In a pot, combine the bellflower with 1 teaspoon of salt and let it sit for about 10 minutes to soften. While it’s resting, knead the bellflower vigorously, as if you’re washing laundry, until a white liquid is released. This process helps reduce bitterness and improves texture. After kneading, rinse thoroughly under cold water and squeeze out any excess moisture.
Step 2
Wash the Korean cucumbers well. Cut them in half lengthwise, then use a spoon to scrape out the seedy core. This helps prevent excess moisture. Slice the cucumbers diagonally. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the sliced cucumbers and mix well. Let them sit for 10 minutes to pickle slightly. Afterward, rinse them under cold running water and drain any excess liquid.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the seasoning. Combine all the seasoning ingredients in a bowl. You can adjust the level of sourness and sweetness by modifying the amounts of vinegar, oligo syrup, or sugar according to your preference. Taste the salted bellflower and cucumber and adjust the final seasoning with a pinch of salt if needed.
Step 4
Add the prepared seasoning mix to the bellflower and cucumber. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Gently toss everything together with your hands until the seasoning is evenly distributed. Be careful not to mix too vigorously, as this could make the cucumbers mushy.
Step 5
If you’d like a more vibrant red color, you can add a little more gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) to enhance the visual appeal. Feel free to adjust this to your liking.
Step 6
Your crunchy, refreshingly sweet and sour bellflower and cucumber salad is ready! Enjoy the delightful taste of fresh ingredients.
