Fragrant Seasoned Spinach Recipe
Fragrant Seasoned Spinach Recipe
How to Make Delicious Seasoned Spinach
This recipe uses fresh, in-season spinach to create a wonderfully sweet and flavorful seasoned spinach dish. Following tips inspired by Chef Baek Jong-won, anyone can easily make this side dish that pairs perfectly with rice.
Main Ingredients- 193g fresh spinach (Trim the roots or leave them on depending on preference; the roots are sweeter!)
- 0.5 Tbsp salt (for blanching)
Seasoning Ingredients- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp soup soy sauce (Adjust to your taste)
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil (for a nutty aroma)
- 2 Tbsp sesame seeds (lightly crushed for enhanced fragrance)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp soup soy sauce (Adjust to your taste)
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil (for a nutty aroma)
- 2 Tbsp sesame seeds (lightly crushed for enhanced fragrance)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the spinach. Since seasonal spinach is particularly sweet near the roots, it’s nice to leave the roots on after trimming off any dirty parts. Of course, you can also remove the entire root. If the spinach stems are too long, cut them in half or into quarters for easier eating.
Step 2
Rinse the prepared spinach thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris. After washing, gently squeeze out excess water before proceeding to the next step.
Step 3
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and add 0.5 Tbsp of salt. Once the water is boiling, add the spinach, starting with the root ends first. Blanch for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. It’s important to blanch spinach briefly; overcooking can make it mushy and diminish its nutrients. Immediately drain the blanched spinach and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking. Gently squeeze out just enough water so it’s not dripping. Be careful not to squeeze too hard, as this can make the texture dry.
Step 4
Place the squeezed spinach in a bowl. Add all the seasoning ingredients: 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1.5 Tbsp soup soy sauce, 2 Tbsp sesame oil, and 2 Tbsp sesame seeds. Now, gently toss and mix the spinach with your hands. The key is to mix gently so the spinach doesn’t clump together and the seasoning is evenly distributed. You can adjust the amount of soup soy sauce based on the amount of spinach and your personal preference for a more delicious result.
