Savory and Aromatic Gondre Namul Muchim (Seasoned Vegetable)
Savory and Aromatic Gondre Namul Muchim (Seasoned Vegetable)
Easy Gondre Namul Muchim Recipe Using Fresh or Frozen Gondre
Try making Gondre Namul Muchim using pre-blanched gondre from your freezer. It’s a simple yet flavorful dish that highlights the natural, mild taste and fresh aroma of gondre. It’s a perfect side dish for rice or can be wonderfully used to make gondre rice.
Ingredients- 300g blanched gondre (fresh or frozen)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp perilla oil
- Sesame seeds to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the blanched gondre from your freezer. If it’s frozen, let it thaw completely or place it directly in a pot and boil for about 10 more minutes until tender. (Tip: For instructions on blanching fresh gondre or boiling dried gondre, please refer to previous recipes. Dried gondre typically requires boiling for at least 30 minutes.)
Step 2
Rinse the thoroughly boiled gondre under cold running water. After rinsing, gently squeeze out any excess water with your hands. This step prevents the vegetable from becoming tough and helps it absorb seasonings better. The weight of the squeezed gondre should be around 300g.
Step 3
Place the squeezed gondre in a large mixing bowl and gently separate any clumps. This ensures the seasoning will be evenly distributed.
Step 4
Now it’s time to season and mix. Add 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp salt, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 2 Tbsp perilla oil, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds to the bowl. (Tip: For an extra nutty flavor, you can add a little perilla seed powder. Gondre has a unique, pleasant aroma, and perilla oil enhances this better than strongly flavored sesame oil. However, if perilla oil isn’t available, regular sesame oil is a fine substitute.)
Step 5
Your simple and delicious Gondre Namul Muchim is ready! If you prefer a spicier taste, you can mix in some gochujang and doenjang. However, I’ve kept the seasoning minimal with just soy sauce and salt to preserve the natural, earthy flavor of the gondre. This simple seasoning allows the deep taste of the gondre to shine through.
Step 6
While fresh, in-season gondre is undeniably delicious, using dried or frozen gondre also yields wonderful results. This dish, especially when made with fresh gondre, is truly exceptional!
