Seasonable Spinach Namul (Seasoned Spinach)
Seasonable Spinach Namul (Seasoned Spinach)
How to Make Delicious Spinach Namul – An Easy Side Dish!
I made seasoned spinach today, and it tasted exceptionally good. The spinach was so sweet, truly showing it’s in season! Seasonal foods really are the best. They are affordable and deliver double the deliciousness. It felt like a great way to enjoy the season’s bounty.
Ingredients- 2 Tbsp sesame seeds, lightly crushed (Ggaesogeum)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 2 cm white part of green onion, finely chopped
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 bunch spinach (look for ones with reddish roots for sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp salt (for blanching spinach)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Choosing Sweet Spinach: Spinach with reddish roots often indicates a sweeter taste. Trim off and discard the very ends of the roots.
Step 2
Prepare the Spinach: Remove any wilted leaves or the tough outer leaves (cotyledons) from the spinach.
Step 3
Boil Water for Blanching: Fill a pot with plenty of water and add 1 tablespoon of salt. This will lightly season the spinach as it blanches.
Step 4
Blanch the Spinach: Once the water comes to a rolling boil, carefully add the prepared spinach. Blanch for about 2 minutes.
Step 5
Blanching Tip for Maximum Nutrition and Texture: Avoid over-blanching, which can make the spinach mushy and reduce nutrients. The spinach is ready when the leaves just start to wilt and the stems are slightly tender. For even quicker blanching and nutrient retention, you can blanch just the leaves briefly. Immediately after blanching, rinse the spinach thoroughly in cold water several times to stop the cooking process. Gently squeeze out as much water as possible by hand. This ensures a pleasant, non-mushy texture.
Step 6
Combine in a Bowl: Place the squeezed spinach into a mixing bowl.
Step 7
Prepare Green Onion: Using the white part of the green onion adds a nice texture. Cut the white part in half lengthwise, then chop it finely.
Step 8
Add Aromatics: Add the minced garlic (0.5 Tbsp) and the finely chopped green onion to the bowl with the spinach.
Step 9
Add Seasonings: Now, add the remaining seasonings to enhance the natural flavor of the spinach. Add 0.5 tsp salt, 2 Tbsp of crushed sesame seeds for nutty flavor, and 1 Tbsp of sesame oil for aroma.
Step 10
Mix Gently: Gently toss and mix the spinach with your hands until all the ingredients are well combined. Be careful not to overmix or squeeze too hard, as this can release too much water and a raw taste. This simple mixing technique results in a fresh, delicious spinach namul. Enjoy your homemade dish!
