Savory Seasoned Spinach: An Easy Side Dish Recipe
Savory Seasoned Spinach: An Easy Side Dish Recipe
Your Go-To Simple Spinach Side Dish: Namul Muchim
Introducing a simple yet delicious recipe for seasoned spinach, known as ‘Namul Muchim’. This side dish highlights the fresh flavor and nutrients of spinach, making it a crowd-pleaser for all ages. It’s perfect as a staple with rice, and versatile enough to be used in bibimbap or kimbap. Let’s get started!
Ingredients- 2 handfuls of fresh spinach (approx. 200-250g)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds (or ground sesame seeds)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the fresh spinach. The root part of spinach is rich in nutrients, so it’s recommended to wash it thoroughly and use it as is. If you find the roots difficult to clean or prefer not to use them, you can trim off the very ends before washing.
Step 2
Blanch the washed spinach in boiling water with a pinch of salt. The cooking time is key to achieving the best texture. The exact time will depend on the type and freshness of your spinach.
Step 3
Gently toss the spinach in the boiling water to ensure it cooks evenly. Blanching time should generally be kept under 1 minute to maintain a crisp texture. If the spinach is very tender, 30 seconds might be sufficient. After blanching, immediately rinse the spinach under cold running water to stop the cooking and cool it down. Then, gently squeeze out as much excess water as possible by hand.
Step 4
Place the squeezed spinach in a bowl. Add the minced garlic, soup soy sauce, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. Now, gently mix and toss everything together with your hands until well combined. If you don’t have soup soy sauce, you can substitute it with fish sauce (like anchovy or sand lance sauce) or simply use salt to season.
Step 5
Gently toss the spinach, being careful not to mash it, to distribute the seasonings evenly. Taste a small piece and if it needs more flavor, add a tiny pinch of salt to adjust to your preference.
Step 6
And there you have it – perfectly seasoned spinach! While this recipe uses basic seasonings, you can also explore variations by adding gochujang (red chili paste) for a spicy kick or doenjang (soybean paste) for a savory depth. This simple preparation results in a clean, refreshing taste. It’s a wonderful dish to enjoy not just in winter but through spring. Leftovers can be creatively used as a topping for bibimbap or as a filling for kimbap rolls. Spinach also makes a wonderfully refreshing soup! Enjoy making this simple spinach dish for a healthy meal.
