Healthy Namul Toast: A Delicious Way to Use Leftover Holiday Vegetables
Creative Namul Toast Recipe Using Chuseok Holiday Leftovers!
Chuseok holiday feasts often feature a variety of seasoned Korean vegetables, known as ‘namul’. While bibimbap is a common way to enjoy them afterwards, you might still have some leftover. Wondering what to make with them, I thought they’d pair wonderfully with bread and decided to create this ‘Namul Toast’! It’s a fantastic way to repurpose holiday dishes, offering both heartiness and health in every bite. Enjoy a delicious brunch or snack that captures the essence of festive Korean cuisine.
Ingredients- 2 slices of toast bread
- 1 slice of cheese
- 2 slices of ham
- 1 egg
- Assorted types of Korean seasoned vegetables (namul) – e.g., spinach, balloon flower root, bracken fern, chamaecyparis, etc.
- 1 Tbsp mustard sauce
- 1 Tbsp mayonnaise
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by gathering your leftover namul from the holiday feast. Delicious options include seasoned spinach, crunchy balloon flower root, savory bracken fern, or fragrant spinach. Using a mix of different namul will add more depth and complexity to your toast.
Step 2
To make the namul easy to eat in a toast, finely chop them using kitchen scissors. Aim for bite-sized pieces that will blend well with the other ingredients without losing their individual texture completely.
Step 3
Prepare the egg and ham to enhance the toast’s flavor. Lightly grease a frying pan and cook the egg to your preference – sunny-side up or fully cooked. Also, pan-fry the two slices of ham until golden brown. This step adds a rich dimension to the namul toast.
Step 4
Spread the sauces evenly on the inside of each slice of toast bread. On one slice, apply the tangy mustard sauce, and on the other, spread a generous layer of creamy mayonnaise. These sauces will harmonize the flavors beautifully.
Step 5
On the slice of bread with mayonnaise, carefully arrange one of the pan-fried ham slices.
Step 6
Place the slice of cheese over the ham, followed by a generous amount of the finely chopped assorted namul you prepared earlier. Feel free to adjust the quantity of namul to your liking.
Step 7
Gently place the cooked fried egg on top of the namul. Then, add the remaining slice of ham on top of the egg. Layering the ingredients like this makes the toast look even more appealing.
Step 8
Finally, cover the stacked ingredients with the other slice of bread (the one with mustard sauce). Lightly press down to ensure the toast holds its shape.
Step 9
Place the assembled namul toast into a toaster or a frying pan. If using a toaster, it’s best to set it to a medium heat setting to prevent the bread from burning.
Step 10
Toast the bread until it’s golden brown and crispy. If using a frying pan, cook over low heat, flipping occasionally, until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted to perfection. The goal is a crispy exterior with a warm, flavorful interior.
Step 11
Your delicious namul toast is ready to be served! Since the namul typically has its own seasoning, no extra salt or pepper is usually needed. Enjoy this unique and healthy toast made from leftover holiday vegetables – a perfect blend of taste and tradition!
