Spicy Korean Spinach Salad with Sesame
Experience the vibrant flavors of Korea with this Spicy Korean Spinach Salad, a perfect blend of nutrition and taste. This delightful dish features fresh spinach, beautifully blanched to preserve its vibrant green color and crunch, combined with a rich mixture of Korean soybean paste (doenjang) and chili paste (gochujang). The addition of aromatic garlic and nutty sesame oil enhances each bite, while toasted sesame seeds add a delightful crunch. This salad is not just a side; it can be enjoyed as a light meal or tossed into grain bowls for added flavor. Gather your friends and family to share this wholesome and flavor-packed dish!
4
Servings
50
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
Spinach
1 bunch (Trimmed and cleaned)
Korean soybean paste (doenjang)
2 teaspoons (Prepared for mixing)
Korean chili paste (gochujang)
2 teaspoons (Prepared for mixing)
Garlic clove
1 (Finely minced)
Sesame oil
2 teaspoons (Prepared for mixing)
Sesame seeds
2 teaspoons (Toasted, if desired)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing the spinach: Cut off the tips and rinse thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or grit.
2
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, carefully add the spinach and blanch for 1 minute until wilted but still vibrant green.
3
Immediately drain the spinach and plunge it into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. After a few minutes, drain the spinach again and gently squeeze out any excess water.
4
In a mixing bowl, separate the spinach strands and chop them into shorter sections if preferred.
5
In a separate small bowl, combine the Korean soybean paste (doenjang), chili paste (gochujang), minced garlic, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. Mix with your fingertips (preferably gloved), until a smooth paste forms.
6
Add the spinach to the bowl with the paste mixture. With clean hands, gently massage and toss the spinach with the paste, ensuring that every strand is coated evenly.
7
Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning by adding more soybean paste or chili paste if desired.
8
Serve immediately or let it rest for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Enjoy this dish cold or at room temperature.
Nutrition Information
3.5g
Fat
3g
Carbs
1.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Korean Spinach Salad with Sesame?
It is a vibrant Korean dish featuring blanched spinach combined with a rich mixture of Korean soybean paste (doenjang) and chili paste (gochujang).
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What are the main ingredients for this salad?
The main ingredients include spinach, Korean soybean paste (doenjang), Korean chili paste (gochujang), garlic, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.
Is this Spicy Korean Spinach Salad vegan?
Yes, this dish is categorized as vegan.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as gluten-free.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains 50 calories.
How long should I blanch the spinach?
The spinach should be blanched in boiling water for 1 minute until wilted but still vibrant green.
What is the fat content per serving?
There is 3.5g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 3g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does this salad provide?
This salad provides 1.5g of protein per serving.
What is doenjang?
Doenjang is a Korean soybean paste used to provide a savory, fermented flavor base for the dressing.
What is gochujang?
Gochujang is a Korean chili paste that adds spice and depth to the spinach salad.
Why should I put the spinach in ice water after blanching?
Plunging the spinach into ice water stops the cooking process, preserving its crunch and bright green color.
How do I prepare the spinach before cooking?
You should cut off the tips and rinse the spinach thoroughly under running water to remove dirt or grit.
How do I make the dressing for the salad?
Combine doenjang, gochujang, minced garlic, sesame oil, and sesame seeds in a small bowl and mix until a smooth paste forms.
Should I squeeze the spinach after draining?
Yes, you should gently squeeze out any excess water to ensure the dressing is not diluted.
Can I chop the spinach?
Yes, you can chop the blanched and drained spinach into shorter sections if preferred.
How should I mix the spinach with the paste?
Gently massage and toss the spinach with the paste using clean hands to ensure every strand is coated evenly.
Can I adjust the spiciness of the dish?
Yes, you can adjust the seasoning by adding more chili paste or soybean paste to suit your preference.
Should the salad be served hot or cold?
This dish can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe calls for 1 finely minced garlic clove.
What kind of sesame seeds should be used?
The recipe recommends using 2 teaspoons of toasted sesame seeds.
Is this a quick recipe to prepare?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as quick and involves a short 1-minute blanching time.
Can this salad be added to other meals?
Yes, it can be tossed into grain bowls or served as a light meal.
What is the total ingredient count?
There are 6 total ingredients in this recipe.
Does this recipe contain cholesterol?
The provided information indicates there is no cholesterol data, though ingredients like spinach and sesame oil are naturally cholesterol-free.
How should I mix the paste ingredients?
The instructions suggest mixing the paste ingredients with your fingertips, preferably while wearing gloves.
Is the salad nutritious?
Yes, the recipe is described as a perfect blend of nutrition and taste and is tagged as nutritious.
What is the role of sesame oil in this recipe?
Sesame oil adds a nutty aroma and enhances the overall flavor profile of the salad.
How should the salad rest before serving?
You can let the salad rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.