Steamed Cabbage with Delicious Ssamjang Dipping Sauce
Steamed Cabbage with Delicious Ssamjang Dipping Sauce
How to Steam Cabbage: Steaming Method, Time, Nutrition, and the Ultimate Ssamjang Recipe
Cabbage, a vegetable available year-round, is rich in Vitamin U, which aids stomach health, Vitamin C, beneficial for skin, and calcium for bone health, making it an excellent nutritional ingredient for menopausal women and growing children. When you buy a whole head, it’s great for enjoying fresh in salads or adding a nutty flavor when stir-fried with meats. Furthermore, when steamed and eaten as wraps, its natural sweetness and nuttiness are unmatched by other wrap vegetables. Today, I made a delicious ssamjang to pair with this steamed cabbage and enjoyed it as ssam-bap (wrap rice) with warm rice. Paired with spicy stir-fries like pork bulgogi, it becomes a satisfying and nutritious meal. I used about 1/4 of a head; if you have leftover cabbage, you can keep it fresh for a long time by cutting out the core, filling the cavity with a damp paper towel, wrapping it in newspaper or kitchen towel, and storing it in a plastic bag in the vegetable crisper. You can adjust the texture from crisp to tender by controlling the steaming time. For a crisp texture, steam for under 8 minutes after the water boils; I prefer it slightly softer, so I steam for about 8 minutes. It’s delicious with a soy sauce-based seasoning too, but today I’ll show you step-by-step how to make a perfect ssamjang for cabbage wraps.
Cabbage Steam Ingredients- 1/4 head of cabbage
- 300ml water (approx. 1.5 cups)
Ssamjang Seasoning Ingredients- 1 Tbsp Doenjang (soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (red chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or similar sweetener)
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp Doenjang (soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (red chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or similar sweetener)
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the cabbage for steaming. First, cut out the tough core in a V-shape; this will make it much easier to separate the leaves. This winter cabbage was nicely packed and fresh.
Step 2
Gently separate the cabbage leaves into two or three sections, following the overlapping edges, using a knife or your hands. Lightly rinse the separated leaves under running water. You can also soak them briefly in water and then gently shake them to clean.
Step 3
After washing, place the cabbage leaves in a colander to drain for a moment. While the cabbage is draining, start boiling the water for steaming to save time.
Step 4
Pour 300ml of water (about 1.5 standard cups) into a pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. When steam begins to rise, it’s time to add the cabbage.
Step 5
Once the water is steaming, add the cabbage to the pot, cover with a lid, and reduce the heat to medium. Steam for about 8 minutes. After 8 minutes, turn off the heat and let it rest (steam) for another 2 minutes for a perfectly tender texture. If you prefer a crispier bite, steam for only 6-7 minutes.
Step 6
Open the lid to reveal the deliciously steamed cabbage, releasing a wonderful, nutty aroma.
Step 7
Now, let’s make the delicious ssamjang. In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp doenjang, 1 Tbsp gochujang, 1 Tbsp oligodang, 1 Tbsp chopped green onion, 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, and 0.5 Tbsp sesame seeds. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Step 8
Enjoy this ssamjang as ssam-bap! Place the steamed cabbage on warm rice, add a spoonful of the ssamjang, and roll it up. I personally prefer this ssamjang over a soy sauce-based one and always make it when I have cabbage wraps. It’s simple to make, so give it a try at home.
Step 9
While you can steam cabbage conveniently in a microwave, steaming it directly in a pot truly yields a superior flavor and texture. Any leftover steamed cabbage can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheated in the microwave later. If you reduce your rice portion to about one-third and fill up on cabbage, it makes for an excellent diet meal. It’s a dish that satisfies both taste and health, offering a sweet, tender flavor and texture. Even when eaten heartily, it provides a comforting and healthy meal. It’s also wonderful served alongside a bubbling bowl of doenjang jjigae! Cabbage is a versatile and nutritious ingredient that offers great value. Enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal with cabbage!
