Refreshing Tomato Bulgogi Salad
Refreshing Tomato Bulgogi Salad
Recipe for a Special Tomato Bulgogi Salad with Fresh Wasabi
A delightful salad featuring fresh Daegu tomatoes, flavorful bulgogi, and crisp vegetables that will awaken your appetite. The zesty kick of fresh wasabi cuts through any richness, making it exceptionally refreshing and delicious. It’s a simple yet elegant dish perfect for special occasions or a light meal.
Ingredients- 5 Daegu tomatoes (choose firm and ripe ones)
- 200g marinated bulgogi beef (choose according to your preference)
- 1/4 onion (thinly sliced into strips)
- 4 Korean green chili peppers (seeds removed and thinly sliced into strips)
- 4 perilla leaves (cut in half lengthwise, then thinly sliced)
- A few slices of garlic (thinly sliced)
- Fresh wasabi, to taste (adjust according to your preference)
- 1 part Olive Oil : 1 part Vinegar (for dressing)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Daegu tomatoes become sweeter and redder as they ripen. Ensure they are fresh before using.
Step 2
Remove the stem from the tomatoes, then halve them. Cut them into bite-sized pieces. Avoid slicing them too thinly to maintain a pleasant texture.
Step 3
Prepare the marinated bulgogi beef for the salad. Using pre-marinated bulgogi makes this step convenient.
Step 4
Heat a pan over medium-high heat and cook the marinated bulgogi without adding any oil. The key is to cook it until it’s nicely browned and most of the moisture has evaporated. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor and let it cool slightly. If you’re using plain beef instead of marinated bulgogi, simply grill it without oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Step 5
Peel the onion and slice it thinly into strips.
Step 6
Remove the stems from the Korean green chili peppers, then discard the seeds. Slice them into strips, similar in thickness to the onion.
Step 7
Wash the perilla leaves and cut them in half lengthwise, then thinly slice them. Soaking the sliced perilla leaves in cold water for a moment before draining thoroughly will enhance their crispness.
Step 8
Arrange the prepared ingredients on a serving plate. Layering the tomatoes at the bottom and then arranging the other ingredients on top creates a visually appealing dish, but you can also mix them freely.
Step 9
Prepare the dressing. In a bowl, pour in the extra virgin olive oil and add the thinly sliced garlic to infuse the oil with flavor. Add fresh wasabi to your liking, and for a refreshing touch, mix in vinegar in a 1:1 ratio with the olive oil. Whisk everything together well.
Step 10
Tomatoes and olive oil are a perfect pairing. If you are using plain beef instead of bulgogi, consider adding a little soy sauce to the dressing for an umami boost.
Step 11
The savory and sweet bulgogi, combined with the fresh green chili peppers, crisp onion, and aromatic perilla leaves, creates a wonderfully balanced flavor. The addition of zesty fresh wasabi makes this salad exceptionally refreshing and delicious, with no hint of heaviness. It’s a truly special salad experience.
