Nutritious and Delicious Mulberry Leaf Salad (Ppongip Namul Muchim)
Nutritious and Delicious Mulberry Leaf Salad (Ppongip Namul Muchim)
Making Mulberry Leaf Salad: A Simple and Healthy Recipe
I found pre-blanched and frozen mulberry leaves sold online, which are incredibly convenient. With just a gentle toss (‘jo-mol jo-mol’) with simple seasonings, this dish turned out incredibly delicious. Mulberry leaves, known for their high protein content second only to soybeans, are also beneficial for cardiovascular health by helping to lower cholesterol levels. Enjoy this simple yet flavorful and healthy recipe!
Main Ingredients- Frozen Mulberry Leaves (blanched and frozen) 180g
Seasoning- Doenjang (fermented soybean paste) 0.5 Tbsp
- Fish sauce or Tuna extract 1 Tbsp
- Perilla oil 3 Tbsp
- Ground perilla seeds 2 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Chopped green onion 1 Tbsp
- Doenjang (fermented soybean paste) 0.5 Tbsp
- Fish sauce or Tuna extract 1 Tbsp
- Perilla oil 3 Tbsp
- Ground perilla seeds 2 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Chopped green onion 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, I prepared the frozen mulberry leaves which were blanched and then frozen. These are readily available for purchase online. They are typically made by soaking dried mulberry leaves, blanching them, and then freezing them for convenience.
Step 2
After thawing the frozen mulberry leaves, rinse them gently under running water about twice. Squeeze out the excess water, but not completely dry; leave them slightly moist. This step helps the leaves stay tender and absorb the seasoning better.
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the seasoning. In a bowl with the prepared mulberry leaves, add 0.5 Tbsp of doenjang, 1 Tbsp of fish sauce (or tuna extract, or soy sauce if preferred), and 3 Tbsp of fragrant perilla oil. Also, add 1 Tbsp of minced garlic and 1 Tbsp of chopped green onion for added aroma and flavor.
Step 4
Once all the seasoning ingredients are in, wash your hands thoroughly and gently mix the ingredients with the mulberry leaves using a ‘jo-mol jo-mol’ (gentle rubbing/mixing) motion. Ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed without clumping the leaves.
Step 5
Finally, taste the seasoned mulberry leaf salad. The savory depth of the doenjang, the nutty aroma of the perilla oil, and the richness of the ground perilla seeds create a wonderfully delicious flavor. It’s similar to seasoned perilla leaves but with the unique soft texture and subtle fragrance of mulberry leaves, making it an excellent side dish for rice. It’s also fantastic mixed with warm rice!
