Spring Herb Delight: Sweet & Spicy Seasoned Korean Cress Salad
A Complete Guide to Preparing Winter Cress and Making Delicious Seasoned Cress with Gochujang
Enjoy a rice-stealing side dish made with fragrant spring winter cress, seasoned with a sweet and spicy gochujang sauce! While delicious with doenjang (fermented soybean paste), this gochujang version offers a delightful, zesty flavor. Introducing this simple yet appetite-whetting spring delicacy: seasoned winter cress with gochujang.
Main Ingredients- 150g Korean cress (Naengi)
- 1 Tbsp coarse sea salt (for blanching)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion
Seasoning Ingredients- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds (ground)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds (ground)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The first crucial step is to wash the Korean cress thoroughly, whether you’ve harvested it yourself or bought it. Rinse it multiple times under running water to remove any dirt or debris.
Step 2
If you’re new to preparing Korean cress, refer to this detailed guide for tips on how to clean and trim it properly. (Reference Link: https://blog.naver.com/wjdtj54/221220640138)
Step 3
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, add 1 tablespoon of coarse sea salt, and briefly blanch the prepared Korean cress for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Be careful not to overcook, as this can diminish its delicate aroma.
Step 4
After blanching, immediately rinse the Korean cress in cold water to stop the cooking process and drain any excess water. Now, let’s prepare the seasoning. In a bowl, combine the gochujang, minced garlic, chopped green onion, vinegar, sugar, and ground sesame seeds. Set the sesame oil aside for the final step.
Step 5
Add the blanched and squeezed Korean cress to the seasoning bowl. Gently mix and massage the seasoning into the cress until evenly coated. Finally, drizzle in the sesame oil and give it one last gentle toss. Your delicious seasoned Korean cress with gochujang is ready!
Step 6
Enjoy the subtle aroma of Korean cress and its tender texture in this flavorful dish! Making this nutritious spring herb side dish is surprisingly easy.
Step 7
While Korean cress is wonderful with a doenjang-based sauce, don’t hesitate to try it with gochujang or ssamjang (a spicy dipping paste) for a different, equally delicious experience.
Step 8
Although trimming the cress can be a bit labor-intensive, the end result is a beloved spring home-cooking staple that everyone will enjoy.
Step 9
For those experiencing a loss of appetite or fatigue during springtime, it’s highly recommended to incorporate dishes made with seasonal spring ingredients like Korean cress, wild garlic, stonecrop, butterbur, and dandelion.
Step 10
Korean cress is packed with protein, iron, calcium, and other essential minerals, making it beneficial for people of all ages, including children, women, and the elderly. It aids in detoxification, helps with constipation, strengthens spleen and kidney functions, and promotes diuresis.
Step 11
Experience the essence of spring with a spicy Korean cress and baby octopus stew. (Related Recipe: https://blog.naver.com/wjdtj54/220644822915)
