Fragrant and Crisp Water Parsley Salad
Fragrant and Crisp Water Parsley Salad
Make a Delicious and Aromatic Water Parsley Side Dish for When You Have No Appetite
With the rainy season causing vegetable prices to skyrocket, it can be daunting to shop for groceries! But don’t worry, you can make a delicious side dish with water parsley, which I recently got for an amazing price of just 1000 won per bunch! I bought two bunches and have been using them for my husband’s lunchbox and our family’s breakfast. While some prefer it raw like a fresh kimchi, others like it blanched. I opted for a slightly blanched version, seasoned with gochujang (Korean chili paste), and it turned out incredibly delicious. It’s perfect for those days when you have absolutely no appetite. Highly recommended! Enjoy this easy, fragrant, and crisp water parsley salad.
Main Ingredients- 2 bunches Water Parsley
- 1 Tbsp Coarse Sea Salt (for blanching)
Seasoning- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1/4 stalk Scallion, thinly sliced
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Plum Extract (Maesilcheong)
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (or other liquid sweetener, adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1/4 stalk Scallion, thinly sliced
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Plum Extract (Maesilcheong)
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (or other liquid sweetener, adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare two bunches of fresh water parsley. Water parsley is known for its delicate texture, so carefully remove any wilted or yellow leaves. Then, trim the stems to about 3-4 cm (1.5 inches) and rinse them thoroughly under running water multiple times to ensure all dirt and debris are removed. Gently shake off excess water.
Step 2
Now, let’s lightly blanch the water parsley. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of coarse sea salt. Carefully add the washed water parsley to the boiling water. Water parsley is very tender and can become mushy if overcooked, so it’s best to blanch it very briefly, just until it wilts slightly, about 20 seconds. If you prefer a crunchier texture, reduce the blanching time even further.
Step 3
Once lightly blanched, immediately remove the water parsley from the hot water and rinse it under cold running water. Rinsing in cold water helps to firm up the greens, making them more crisp and vibrant in color. Drain the water parsley well in a colander. Ensuring good drainage is key to prevent a watery salad. You can also gently squeeze out excess water with your hands.
Step 4
While the water parsley is draining, let’s make the seasoning. In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of gochujang, 1 tablespoon of gochugaru, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon of plum extract, 1 tablespoon of oligodang (or your preferred sweetener, adjust for sweetness), and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Finely slice the scallion and add it to the mixture for added fragrance. Mix all the seasoning ingredients together until well combined.
Step 5
Cut the drained water parsley into bite-sized pieces. Aim for about 3-4 cm (1.5 inches) in length, ensuring a mix of stems and leaves. Cutting them too small might diminish the texture, so keep them at a moderate length.
Step 6
Now, add the prepared water parsley to the seasoning mix and gently toss it with your hands until everything is evenly coated. You’ll notice the fragrant aroma of the water parsley and the delightful crisp texture of the salad. This makes a wonderful side dish, especially when you lack appetite, and it’s also a great addition to your husband’s lunchbox.
Step 7
The trick to perfect seasoning is to gently mix it with your hands, ensuring the dressing coats every strand without bruising the delicate greens. Avoid over-mixing or squeezing too hard, as this can release a raw taste. Just a gentle, thorough toss is needed.
Step 8
Finally, plate the finished water parsley salad attractively in a nice serving dish. Your beautiful and delicious side dish is ready to be enjoyed!
