Super Simple Blanched Spinach Salad (Sigeumchi Muchim)
Super Simple Blanched Spinach Salad (Sigeumchi Muchim)
Highly Recommended as a Dinner Side Dish: Baek Jong-won’s Spinach Salad Recipe
This blanched spinach salad, made fresh from the market, disappeared from our dinner table in no time! ^^;; Its crisp texture and rich sesame oil aroma make it a perfect accompaniment to any meal. This recipe, inspired by the popular chef Baek Jong-won, is incredibly easy and results in a delicious side dish that everyone from kids to adults will love. Let me guide you through making this flavorful and quick spinach salad!
Main Ingredients- 300g fresh spinach
- 1/2 Tbsp coarse salt (for blanching)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/3 Tbsp fine salt (for seasoning)
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the spinach. Remove any yellow or wilted leaves. Thoroughly wash the roots to remove any dirt. Trim the very ends of the roots if necessary, and then cut the spinach into manageable lengths, about 5-7 cm (2-3 inches).
Step 2
Now, it’s time to blanch the spinach. Bring a pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add 1/2 tablespoon of coarse salt to the water. This helps to maintain the spinach’s vibrant green color and reduce any unpleasant ‘green’ smell. Carefully add the prepared spinach to the boiling water.
Step 3
Blanch the spinach for precisely 1 minute. Blanching for too long will make the spinach mushy, diminishing its texture and flavor. A short blanch ensures it stays crisp and fresh.
Step 4
Immediately after blanching, drain the spinach and rinse it under cold running water. This ‘cold shower’ helps to stop the cooking process and enhances its crispness. Make sure to drain all the excess water thoroughly.
Step 5
Take a handful of the drained spinach and gently squeeze out any remaining water using both hands. Be careful not to squeeze too hard, as this can crush the spinach. You want to remove excess water while maintaining its shape.
Step 6
Now, let’s season and mix! Place the squeezed spinach in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1/3 tablespoon of fine salt, 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame seeds. Mix everything together gently with your hands, like you’re massaging it. Continue mixing until all the ingredients are well combined and the wonderful aroma of sesame oil fills the air.
Step 7
And there you have it! Your delicious blanched spinach salad is ready. It looks so appetizing and is the perfect side dish to serve with a warm bowl of rice. Enjoy this simple yet incredibly satisfying dish!
