Savory Braised Napa Cabbage Salad with Doenjang
Savory Braised Napa Cabbage Salad with Doenjang
Simple Vegan Side Dish: Easy Braised Napa Cabbage Salad Recipe
Introducing a delicious vegan side dish made with fresh Napa cabbage: a braised cabbage salad with Doenjang. The nutty flavor of Doenjang combined with nutty sesame oil creates an irresistible dish that’s perfect with rice. It’s so simple to make, making it a great option even on busy days.
Main Ingredients- 5 leaves of Napa cabbage (choose large, fresh ones)
- 1 Tbsp salt (for blanching the cabbage)
- A pinch of dried chili threads (for color, optional)
Seasoning Ingredients- 0.5 Tbsp Doenjang (for savory depth)
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil (for nutty aroma)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic (to avoid overpowering flavor)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (for sweetness and umami)
- A pinch of sesame seeds (for garnish and nutty flavor)
- 0.5 Tbsp Doenjang (for savory depth)
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil (for nutty aroma)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic (to avoid overpowering flavor)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (for sweetness and umami)
- A pinch of sesame seeds (for garnish and nutty flavor)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the Napa cabbage thoroughly. If you have dried chili threads, prepare them as well. (Optional)
Step 2
Bring a generous amount of water to a boil in a pot. Once boiling, add 1 tablespoon of salt. Salt helps to wilt the cabbage and season it. Add the thicker stem parts of the Napa cabbage to the boiling water and blanch for about 3 minutes until tender. Be careful not to overcook, as it can become mushy. Immediately remove the blanched cabbage and rinse it under cold running water several times to cool it down.
Step 3
Instead of cutting the cooled cabbage with a knife, tear it into bite-sized pieces by hand. Tearing it this way allows the seasoning to penetrate better and improves the texture.
Step 4
Gently squeeze out excess water from the hand-torn cabbage using both hands. Squeezing out the water well prevents the salad from becoming watery and ensures the seasoning is absorbed properly. Place the squeezed cabbage directly into a bowl for seasoning.
Step 5
Now, add all the seasoning ingredients to the bowl. Add 0.5 Tbsp Doenjang, 1 Tbsp perilla oil, 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp plum extract, and finally, a pinch of sesame seeds.
Step 6
Gently toss and mix the cabbage with the seasoning using your hands until well combined. Be gentle to avoid mashing the cabbage. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed; you can add a little more Doenjang or a tiny pinch of salt if it’s not salty enough. Once mixed, your savory and delicious Braised Napa Cabbage Salad with Doenjang is complete! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice.
