Aromatic Winter Cress Salad with Soybean Paste (Naengyi Doenjang Muchim)
How to Make a Fragrant Winter Cress Salad with Soybean Paste
Aromatic winter cress (naengyi) is appearing frequently these days. The flavor you taste in winter, before spring fully arrives, seems to be softer and have a deeper aroma. I made this savory winter cress and soybean paste salad to stimulate your appetite and create a nutritious side dish full of flavor and health benefits~
Ingredients- 150g winter cress (naengyi)
- 1 tsp salt (for blanching)
- 1/2 red chili pepper
Seasoning- 2/3 Tbsp soybean paste (doenjang)
- 1 tsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp chopped green onion
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2/3 Tbsp soybean paste (doenjang)
- 1 tsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp chopped green onion
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Gently clean the winter cress, removing any dirt or tough stems. Rinse it thoroughly under cold running water and then pat it dry with a kitchen towel. Ensure all soil is removed for a clean taste.
Step 2
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water. Carefully add the cleaned winter cress and blanch it for a quick 30-40 seconds. Over-blanching can make the cress lose its crisp texture and delicate aroma.
Step 3
Immediately after blanching, rinse the winter cress in cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Once cooled, chop the cress into bite-sized pieces. If the stems are long, cutting them into about 1-inch lengths will make them easier to eat.
Step 4
To add a vibrant splash of color, finely chop half of a red chili pepper. This will not only make the dish visually appealing but also add a subtle hint of freshness.
Step 5
In a mixing bowl, combine all the seasoning ingredients: 2/3 Tbsp soybean paste, 1 tsp gochujang, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1/2 Tbsp chopped green onion, and 1 Tbsp sesame oil. Mix them well until fully incorporated.
Step 6
Add the prepared winter cress and chopped red chili pepper to the seasoning mixture. Gently toss and mix everything together with your hands, ensuring the cress and seasonings are evenly coated. Be gentle to avoid bruising the delicate cress.
Step 7
Transfer the freshly mixed winter cress salad to a serving dish. The beautiful aroma and vibrant colors are a testament to the freshness of spring. This fragrant dish is a delightful side that will bring the essence of spring to your table.
