Spicy & Savory Mentaiko Salad: A Rice-Stealing Side Dish Recipe
Spicy & Savory Mentaiko Salad: A Rice-Stealing Side Dish Recipe
Super Simple Mentaiko Salad Ready in 5 Minutes!
Introducing Mentaiko Salad, a fantastic side dish for those days when your fridge is looking bare. With just a few simple seasonings added to fresh mentaiko (spicy cod roe), you’ll create a savory and umami-rich flavor that will have you finishing your rice in no time! Preparation to completion takes just 5 minutes, so give it a try right now!
Main Ingredients- Mentaiko (spicy cod roe): 2 pieces
- Scallions (green part only): 1 stalk
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Mentaiko is a prized ingredient made from salted and fermented pollock roe. To maintain freshness, it’s best stored refrigerated. For longer storage, it’s convenient to portion it into pairs (2 pieces) and freeze them. When thawing, it’s recommended to do so slowly in the refrigerator.
Step 2
Prepare the mentaiko. First, make a lengthwise slit on the surface of each mentaiko piece. Then, using the back of a knife, carefully scrape out the roe from the inside of the membrane. This will cleanly separate the plump roe from the casing. Discard the casings separately.
Step 3
Wash the scallions thoroughly, pat them dry, and finely chop them. This will add freshness and a pleasant aroma to your mentaiko salad. Chop them into about 1cm pieces so they mix well with the seasoning. If you prefer a spicier kick, you can also finely chop half a Cheongyang pepper (a Korean chili pepper) and add it.
Step 4
Place the extracted mentaiko roe into a wide bowl. Add a pinch of minced garlic for added flavor depth and sesame oil for its rich, nutty aroma. Be mindful not to add too much garlic, as mentaiko is already quite salty.
Step 5
Add the toasted sesame seeds and the chopped scallions to the bowl. Gently mix everything together with chopsticks or a spoon, being careful not to mash the mentaiko. It’s important to mix lightly so all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Over-mixing or mixing too vigorously can intensify the saltiness.
Step 6
Serve generously over a bowl of warm, freshly cooked rice! The salty yet tender mentaiko, fragrant scallions, and nutty sesame oil create a fantastic ‘rice-stealing’ side dish. You can create a wonderful meal with minimal cooking effort.
Step 7
Create a wonderful side dish with just a few ingredients. This simple yet flavorful mentaiko salad will enrich your dining table. Enjoy your meal today, and have a wonderful day! *
