Spinach Namul: The Perfect Recipe for Beginners
Spinach Namul: The Perfect Recipe for Beginners
Enjoying the Finest Spinach of the Year: A Delicious and Simple Spinach Salad
Spinach salad (Namul) is a staple in Korean cuisine, and while many know how to make it, I recall my early days as a beginner cook grappling with questions like: How long should I blanch it? How much? Should I cut the roots? This detailed guide is for fellow beginners, aiming to clarify every step. Start with delicious winter spinach, identifiable by its lovely pink roots!
Main Ingredients- 1 bunch fresh spinach (choose winter spinach with red roots)
- 0.5 Tbsp coarse sea salt (for blanching)
Seasoning Ingredients (using a standard Korean dining spoon for measurement)- 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce (for a deep umami flavor)
- 3 Tbsp crushed sesame seeds (the secret to nuttiness!)
- 1 Tbsp minced white part of green onion (for a clean aroma)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (enhances the fragrance)
- 1 pinch salt (for final taste adjustment)
- 1 Tbsp whole sesame seeds (for garnish and extra crunch)
- 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce (for a deep umami flavor)
- 3 Tbsp crushed sesame seeds (the secret to nuttiness!)
- 1 Tbsp minced white part of green onion (for a clean aroma)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (enhances the fragrance)
- 1 pinch salt (for final taste adjustment)
- 1 Tbsp whole sesame seeds (for garnish and extra crunch)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Select fresh winter spinach. Look for spinach with vibrant pink roots, short stems, and thick leaves, as these indicate higher sweetness and better flavor.
Step 2
Prepare the spinach: Remove any yellowed outer leaves and trim the very end of the roots. Since the roots are delicious, it’s important not to cut away too much.
Step 3
Root trimming tip: Avoid cutting off too much of the root. It’s best to just trim off the very end where dirt might be clinging. This preserves the sweetness and nutrients from the root.
Step 4
Score the roots: Make shallow cross-shaped cuts (+) on the root ends. This helps the seasoning penetrate deeper into the roots, making them more flavorful.
Step 5
Prepare thick stems: If the spinach stems are thick, make cuts from the root up to about one-third of the way, dividing them into 4 to 6 sections. This ensures they cook evenly.
Step 6
Rinse thoroughly: Place the prepared spinach in a bowl filled with plenty of water. Gently swish and rinse it several times until all the soil is removed. Repeat this 2-3 times to ensure it’s clean.
Step 7
Blanch the spinach: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add 0.5 Tbsp of coarse sea salt. Once boiling, submerge all the prepared spinach and blanch for exactly 10 seconds. Just 10 seconds! This brief blanching preserves the spinach’s crispness and nutrients.
Step 8
Rinse in cold water: Immediately transfer the blanched spinach into a bowl of cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly. This helps maintain its vibrant green color and crisp texture. Drain the spinach in a colander to remove excess water.
Step 9
Season and mix: Place the drained spinach in a bowl and gently separate the leaves with your hands. Add 1 Tbsp minced green onion, 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce, 3 Tbsp crushed sesame seeds, and 1 Tbsp sesame oil. Gently toss and mix with your hands. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the spinach taste raw.
Step 10
Adjust seasoning and finish: If you taste the spinach immediately after mixing, it might seem bland because the seasoning is only on the surface. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Then, taste and adjust the seasoning. Add a pinch of salt if needed. Finally, sprinkle with 1 Tbsp of whole sesame seeds and mix once more for a perfectly nutty and delicious spinach namul!
Step 11
The magic of sesame seeds: Using a generous amount of sesame seeds makes the namul incredibly nutty and flavorful. I used to add only a small amount, but after trying a recipe that called for nearly half a cup of ground sesame seeds, I was amazed by the difference! Since sesame seeds don’t affect saltiness or sourness, feel free to adjust the quantity to your preference.
Step 12
Enjoy winter spinach’s health benefits: Make this delicious side dish with flavorful seasonal winter spinach and stay healthy!
