Refreshing Yuzu Mustard Lotus Root Salad
Refreshing Yuzu Mustard Lotus Root Salad
The Perfect Guest-Worthy Dish: Delicious Yuzu Mustard Lotus Root Salad Recipe
This lotus root salad features a delightful crunchy texture and a subtle, refreshing yuzu aroma. The ‘secret weapon’ is a homemade sauce I love, enhanced with a touch of pungent mustard for a unique kick. The crispness of the lotus root and bell peppers provides a satisfying chew, while the tangy and deeply flavored sauce is the ultimate appetite stimulant. Make this salad for your next special occasion to impress your guests!
Salad Ingredients- 200g lotus root
- A handful of fresh arugula
- 1 Tbsp pine nuts
- 1/4 red bell pepper
- 1/4 yellow bell pepper
Special Sauce Ingredients- 2 Tbsp yuzu marmalade (with pulp)
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp lemon marmalade (with pulp)
- 1 tsp mustard
- 1 Tbsp plum syrup
- 2 pinches salt
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 2 Tbsp yuzu marmalade (with pulp)
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp lemon marmalade (with pulp)
- 1 tsp mustard
- 1 Tbsp plum syrup
- 2 pinches salt
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Peel the lotus root and slice it thinly into uniform rounds, about 0.5mm thick. Thinner slices will result in a more tender texture.
Step 2
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and add 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Blanch the lotus root slices for about 2 minutes. Adding vinegar helps prevent discoloration and maintains the lotus root’s crispness. Immediately rinse the blanched lotus root under cold water to cool it down, then drain thoroughly in a sieve.
Step 3
For the bell peppers, carefully use a knife to remove the seeds and the inner white membranes. If you have a spicy Korean green pepper (like ‘asak-i gochu’), cut it in half, remove the seeds, and clean out the insides as well. (You can omit the spicy pepper and use only bell peppers.)
Step 4
Julienne the prepared bell peppers and spicy green pepper into strips similar in thickness to the lotus root slices. Combine them in a bowl with the drained lotus root.
Step 5
Now, let’s make the special sauce that will define the salad’s flavor. In a small bowl, combine the yuzu marmalade (including the pulp) and olive oil, mixing well. Add the lemon marmalade (also with pulp) to enhance the refreshing citrus notes.
Step 6
Next, add the pungent mustard I love, sweet plum syrup, and a pinch of white pepper. Finally, add 2 pinches of salt to balance the overall flavor profile. Stir everything together until well combined.
Step 7
Pour the prepared special sauce over the bowl containing the lotus root and bell peppers. Gently toss to ensure the dressing coats all the ingredients evenly.
Step 8
Wash the arugula thoroughly and pat it dry. Tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces with your hands. Place them in a separate bowl, add a small amount of the sauce, and lightly toss. Avoid over-mixing the arugula, as it can become wilted; toss it just before serving.
Step 9
Arrange the lightly dressed arugula on a serving plate as a base. Then, artfully pile the lotus root and bell pepper mixture on top. For even better flavor, you can lightly toss the lotus root and bell peppers with a bit more sauce before arranging them.
Step 10
Sprinkle the pine nuts generously over the finished salad for garnish. Toasting the pine nuts lightly in a pan beforehand will enhance their nutty aroma and flavor. You can also use crushed peanuts as an alternative. I sprinkled them directly, but later wished I had toasted them. I recommend toasting them for the best taste!
Step 11
**Nutritional Benefits of Lotus Root:**
Lotus root is rich in Vitamin C and iron, aiding in blood production. Its tannin content is beneficial for stopping nosebleeds. It’s also high in potassium, which helps prevent high blood pressure. Additionally, it possesses hemostatic and anti-inflammatory properties, acts as a tonic, and helps with fatigue recovery. It’s good for colds, coughs, and asthma, can improve skin complexion by helping with blemishes and acne, and has a calming effect that may help with insomnia and neurosis. Its high Vitamin C and dietary fiber content make it a good choice for moderate consumption during a diet. (Source: Naver Knowledge Encyclopedia)
