Spring Cabbage Soybean Paste Salad: A Crispy and Savory Taste of Spring!
Spring Cabbage Soybean Paste Salad: A Crispy and Savory Taste of Spring!
How to Make Al-Tor-an Chef Kim Ha-jin’s Crispy Spring Cabbage Soybean Paste Salad
Try making a refreshing soybean paste salad with spring cabbage, a seasonal delicacy! This recipe, inspired by Al-Tor-an’s Chef Kim Ha-jin, is easy to follow and brings out the crispiness and nutty flavor of the cabbage. Enjoy this healthy and appetizing spring vegetable side dish!
Main Ingredients- 1 head of fresh spring cabbage
- 6 stalks of fragrant young garlic
- 1/3 block of soft tofu
- 3 thinly sliced dates (for color and sweetness)
- A pinch of salt (for seasoning)
Delicious Seasoning Mix- 2 Tbsp soybean paste (Doenjang)
- 1/2 Tbsp chili paste (Gochujang, for umami)
- 1/2 Tbsp fine chili powder (for mild spiciness)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds (for nutty flavor)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (for fragrant finish)
- 2 Tbsp soybean paste (Doenjang)
- 1/2 Tbsp chili paste (Gochujang, for umami)
- 1/2 Tbsp fine chili powder (for mild spiciness)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds (for nutty flavor)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (for fragrant finish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Bring a pot of water to a boil and add 1/2 Tbsp of salt to season it. Once the water is boiling, carefully add the washed spring cabbage and young garlic. To preserve the crisp texture, dip the thicker stems of the young garlic first, and blanch for about 8 seconds.
Step 2
Immediately rinse the blanched spring cabbage and young garlic under cold running water to cool them down. This step helps maintain the vibrant color and enhances the crispness. After rinsing, gently squeeze out as much water as possible with your hands.
Step 3
Tear the drained spring cabbage into bite-sized pieces along its natural folds. Cut the young garlic into segments of about 5-6 cm; this size makes for a pleasant chew when mixed.
Step 4
Using a cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel, firmly press the tofu to remove excess water. This prevents the tofu from becoming mushy and helps it absorb the seasoning well. In a separate bowl, combine all the seasoning ingredients: soybean paste, chili paste, fine chili powder, minced garlic, sesame seeds, and sesame oil, to create the delicious seasoning mix. Have the thinly sliced dates ready.
Step 5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared spring cabbage, young garlic, squeezed tofu, and sliced dates. Add the prepared seasoning mix generously. Gently toss and mix everything with your hands (called ‘jo-mul-jo-mul’ in Korean) until all ingredients are evenly coated with the seasoning. This creates a flavorful spring cabbage soybean paste salad. Taste and add a pinch more salt if needed.
