Simple and Healthy Spinach Salad (Sigeumchi Namul)
Easy-to-Make Spinach Side Dish – Perfect for Your Home-Cooked Meals
Spinach salad is a delicious and incredibly healthy side dish that’s a staple in Korean cuisine. It’s simple to prepare, packed with nutrients, and adds a fresh, vibrant touch to any meal. Enjoy this quick and easy recipe as a delightful addition to your everyday dining.
Main Ingredients
- 200g fresh spinach
- A little water (for blanching)
Seasoning Ingredients
- 1 tsp salt (for blanching water)
- 1/2 tsp soy sauce or fish sauce (optional, for added umami)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds or ground sesame seeds
- 1 tsp salt (for blanching water)
- 1/2 tsp soy sauce or fish sauce (optional, for added umami)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds or ground sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Start by preparing your fresh spinach. Rinse it thoroughly under cold running water, paying special attention to the roots to remove any dirt or grit. Trim away any yellowed or damaged leaves for a cleaner presentation and better taste.
Step 2
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water. This seasons the spinach as it blanches.
Step 3
Once the water is vigorously boiling, carefully add the prepared spinach. Blanch it for a very short time, about 10 to 15 seconds. Spinach cooks extremely quickly, so overcooking will make it mushy and diminish its crisp texture.
Step 4
Immediately remove the blanched spinach from the hot water and plunge it into a bowl of cold water. Rinse it several times to cool it down quickly. This step helps to preserve its vibrant green color and maintain a pleasant crunch. Once cooled, gently grasp handfuls of the spinach and squeeze out as much excess water as possible. Properly squeezing out the water is crucial to prevent the salad from becoming watery and diluted.
Step 5
Place the squeezed spinach into a mixing bowl. Add all the seasoning ingredients: minced garlic (1 tsp), sesame oil (1 tsp), toasted sesame seeds or ground sesame seeds (1 Tbsp), and soy sauce or fish sauce (1/2 tsp, optional). Gently toss and mix the ingredients with your hands until the spinach is evenly coated. Be careful not to overmix or crush the delicate spinach leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding a pinch more salt or a dash of soy sauce according to your preference. Your delicious and healthy spinach salad is now ready to serve!
