Spicy and Sweet Blanched Lettuce Salad
Spicy and Sweet Blanched Lettuce Salad
Lettuce Salad [Spicy Gochujang Seasoned Blanched Lettuce Salad! A Delicious Side Dish That Will Make You Crave Rice!]
Have you ever tried lettuce as a salad? Most people think of a fresh, crisp kimchi-style salad (geotjeori) when using lettuce in cooking. Today, we’re going to try a different, unique way to prepare lettuce! We’ll lightly blanch the lettuce, squeeze out the excess water, and then toss it with a flavorful gochujang-based dressing. This ‘Lettuce Salad’ is surprisingly delicious and offers a refreshing change. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy lettuce, especially when you want something light yet flavorful.
Main Ingredients- 2 handfuls of lettuce (approx. 100g)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp chopped green onion
Seasoning Ingredients- 1/2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/2 Tbsp doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp maesilcheong (plum extract)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/2 Tbsp doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp maesilcheong (plum extract)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare about 2 handfuls of fresh lettuce. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Gently dip the lettuce into the boiling water for just about 3-5 seconds – you want to blanch it very lightly so it retains some texture and doesn’t become mushy. Immediately transfer the blanched lettuce to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Once cooled, carefully squeeze out as much excess water as possible. This step is crucial to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
Step 2
Now, let’s make the delicious seasoning sauce. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 Tbsp gochujang, 1/2 Tbsp doenjang, 1 Tbsp maesilcheong for a touch of sweetness, 1 Tbsp sesame oil for aroma and richness, and 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds for texture and flavor. Whisk these ingredients together until well combined and you have a smooth, flavorful sauce.
Step 3
Place the squeezed, blanched lettuce into a larger mixing bowl. Add 1/2 Tbsp of minced garlic and 2 Tbsp of chopped green onion. Pour the prepared seasoning sauce over the lettuce.
Step 4
Now, it’s time to gently mix everything together. Use your hands to carefully toss the lettuce with the seasoning until it’s evenly coated. Be gentle to avoid bruising or breaking the softened lettuce leaves.
Step 5
Your flavorful Spicy and Sweet Blanched Lettuce Salad is ready! This dish offers a delightful alternative to the usual crisp lettuce salads. The tender texture of the blanched lettuce combined with the savory, slightly sweet, and spicy seasoning is truly satisfying. It’s perfect served over rice for a simple yet delicious meal, or as a light and refreshing side dish. Give this unique way of enjoying lettuce a try – it’s a wonderful way to add a fresh, flavorful element to your table!
