Spring’s Elixir: How to Make Wild Colt’s Footstalk Soup with Perilla Seeds
Seasonal Spring Wild Vegetable Recipe: Colt’s Footstalk Perilla Soup
Harvested from our own garden, these wild colt’s footstalks are a true springtime treasure, akin to a health tonic. When young, the leaves are edible too, but as they mature, only the stalks are used. This is our first recipe featuring these delicious stalks! Enjoy a nourishing and flavorful bowl of this seasonal delicacy.
Main Ingredients
- Boiled Colt’s Footstalks 300g
- Onion 1/2
- Green Onion 1 stalk
- Cheongyang Pepper 1
- Perilla Seed Powder 3 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 1/2 Tbsp
- Soup Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Salt to taste
Broth Ingredients
- Kelp 1 piece
- Dried Shiitake Mushroom Stems a little
- Anchovies for broth 10
- Green Onion Roots a little
- Kelp 1 piece
- Dried Shiitake Mushroom Stems a little
- Anchovies for broth 10
- Green Onion Roots a little
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
These are wild, homegrown colt’s footstalks, harvested for the first time this year. They are incredibly fresh and flavorful!
Step 2
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and add a pinch of salt. Place the prepared colt’s footstalks into the boiling water. For easier cooking, you can cut the stalks in half. Boil them until they turn a vibrant green, indicating they are cooking.
Step 3
As they boil, the stalks will soften and develop a slightly golden hue. Boil for about 20 minutes until tender. Once boiled, immediately rinse them under cold running water. This helps retain their crisp texture.
Step 4
After rinsing in cold water, peel the outer fibrous layer from the colt’s footstalks. Cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 3-4 cm long. Removing the tough outer skin ensures a tender eating experience.
Step 5
To remove any bitterness from the colt’s footstalks, soak the prepared pieces in fresh cold water for at least 6 hours. Changing the water occasionally will help leach out more of the bitterness. This step is key to making them palatable for everyone.
Step 6
Here are the cleaned and prepared colt’s footstalks, with their bitterness significantly reduced. They are now ready to be transformed into a delicious soup.
Step 7
In a pot, combine the broth ingredients (kelp, shiitake stems, anchovies, green onion roots) with 5 cups of water. Bring to a boil to make the broth. Once the broth is ready, add the prepared colt’s footstalks.
Step 8
Add the extra anchovies for broth to the pot with the stalks and broth. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes, then reduce to low heat and simmer for another 10 minutes (total 20 minutes). This allows the flavors of the colt’s footstalks to infuse into the broth.
Step 9
While the broth is simmering, thinly slice the onion. Cut the green onion and Cheongyang pepper diagonally. These vegetables will add depth and flavor to the soup.
Step 10
After simmering for 20 minutes and allowing the colt’s footstalks’ essence to meld, stir in 3 tablespoons of perilla seed powder. Let it simmer gently for a short while. The perilla seed powder will thicken the soup and impart a rich, nutty aroma.
Step 11
As the soup simmers with the perilla seed powder, skim off any foam that rises to the surface. This will ensure a clean and clear flavor profile.
Step 12
Continue simmering, then add 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of soup soy sauce. Stir well to combine. This provides the basic seasoning for the soup.
Step 13
Finally, add the sliced onion, green onion, and Cheongyang pepper to the pot. Let it simmer briefly to allow the fresh vegetable flavors to meld with the broth.
Step 14
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add a little salt if necessary to achieve your desired flavor balance. The soup soy sauce and salt will perfect the final taste.
Step 15
Your delicious Colt’s Footstalk Perilla Soup is now ready! It’s a healthy, nourishing dish bursting with the nutty fragrance of perilla and the unique aroma of colt’s footstalks.
Step 16
Serve the finished Colt’s Footstalk Perilla Soup in bowls. Enjoy this ‘tonic’ made with seasonal colt’s footstalks and savor a healthy, delightful spring meal!
