Acorn Jelly Salad with Savory Dressing
(Enjoy Korean Pub Snacks at Home) Seasoned Acorn Jelly / Acorn Jelly Dressing
Introducing a recipe for Acorn Jelly Salad, a refreshing Korean dish where the slightly bitter acorn jelly harmonizes perfectly with crisp vegetables. It’s a delightful light salad that’s perfect as a side dish or a healthy snack.
Main Ingredients- 1 pack (320g) Acorn Jelly
- 7 large Lettuce leaves
- 1/2 medium Onion
Optional Ingredients (for extra flavor!)- 1 Cheongyang chili pepper (optional, for spice)
- 1/2 Cucumber
Dressing Ingredients- 5 Tbsp Soy Sauce (for a clean taste)
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, for a hint of spice)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar (for sweetness)
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced Garlic (for aroma)
- 1 Tbsp Plum Extract (for a sweet and sour balance)
- 1 Tbsp Vinegar (for a refreshing tang)
- 0.5 Tbsp Sesame Oil (for nuttiness)
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds (for garnish and flavor)
Measurement Tip- All measurements are based on a standard Korean rice spoon (T).
- 1 Cheongyang chili pepper (optional, for spice)
- 1/2 Cucumber
Dressing Ingredients- 5 Tbsp Soy Sauce (for a clean taste)
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, for a hint of spice)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar (for sweetness)
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced Garlic (for aroma)
- 1 Tbsp Plum Extract (for a sweet and sour balance)
- 1 Tbsp Vinegar (for a refreshing tang)
- 0.5 Tbsp Sesame Oil (for nuttiness)
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds (for garnish and flavor)
Measurement Tip- All measurements are based on a standard Korean rice spoon (T).
- All measurements are based on a standard Korean rice spoon (T).
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s get started on making a healthy and delicious Acorn Jelly Salad, where the slightly bitter acorn jelly meets crisp vegetables for a fantastic harmony! ♬♪
Step 2
First, wash all the vegetables thoroughly under running water and prepare them. Gently pat them dry to remove excess moisture.
Step 3
We’ll prepare the lettuce to a bite-sized portion. First, cut the lettuce leaves in half vertically, then chop them into about 2-3 cm pieces for a better texture.
Step 4
Thinly slice the half onion into strips. Soaking the sliced onion in cold water for a few minutes before draining can help remove its pungent taste and enhance its crispness.
Step 5
Prepare half a cucumber for added crunch.
Step 6
If you enjoy a spicy kick, finely chop or thinly slice one Cheongyang chili pepper, according to your preference. If you’re making this for children or prefer milder flavors, you can omit it or substitute it with bell peppers.
Step 7
Slice the firm acorn jelly into manageable pieces, about 1.5 cm thick, making it easy to mix.
Step 8
We will briefly blanch the sliced acorn jelly in boiling water. This step makes the jelly firmer and removes any potential gamey flavor. Blanch for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Step 9
Immediately after blanching, rinse the acorn jelly under cold running water to cool it down. This process helps maintain its firm and chewy texture.
Step 10
Drain the acorn jelly thoroughly in a colander. Excess water can dilute the dressing, making the salad less flavorful.
Step 11
Now, let’s make the dressing! In a large bowl, combine all the prepared vegetables (lettuce, onion, cucumber, chili pepper, etc.). Add the soy sauce, gochugaru, sugar, minced garlic, plum extract, and vinegar from the dressing ingredients first.
Step 12
*Golden Ratio for Acorn Jelly Salad Dressing: 5 Tbsp Soy Sauce, 1.5 Tbsp Gochugaru, 1 Tbsp Sugar, 0.5 Tbsp Minced Garlic, 1 Tbsp Plum Extract, 1 Tbsp Vinegar (measured with a Korean rice spoon).
Step 13
Gently toss the vegetables with the dressing ingredients first. This allows the seasoning to evenly coat the vegetables and prevents the acorn jelly from breaking apart when you mix everything together later.
Step 14
Add the drained acorn jelly to the lightly dressed vegetables. Finally, drizzle with 0.5 Tbsp of sesame oil and sprinkle with 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds for garnish.
Step 15
Gently mix everything together, being careful not to mash the acorn jelly. Your delicious and visually appealing Acorn Jelly Salad is now ready!
