Crisp and Refreshing Lettuce Salad (Sangchu Geotjeori) with Apple
How to Make a Delicious Lettuce Salad with Apple, Like a Fresh Lettuce Salad
Add apples to your lettuce salad for a sweet and tangy flavor. This recipe brings a delightful crunch and a hint of fruitiness to your typical Korean side dish.
Main Ingredients
- 10 large lettuce leaves
- 1 stick of imitation crab meat (about 50g)
- 1/2 medium cucumber
- 1/3 medium apple (crisp variety)
Dressing
- 1 Tbsp red chili flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp red chili flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by preparing the dressing, the heart of this delicious lettuce salad. In a large bowl, combine 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds, 1 tsp sugar for sweetness, 1 Tbsp red chili flakes for a mild heat, 1 tsp rice vinegar for tanginess, 1 Tbsp soy sauce for savory depth, 1 Tbsp sesame oil for aroma, and 1 Tbsp minced garlic for that classic Korean flavor. Whisk these ingredients together with a spoon or a small whisk until well combined and the dressing is ready.
Step 2
Now, it’s time to prepare the vegetables. First, wash the cucumber thoroughly under running water. Then, slice it thinly into half-moon shapes, about 0.5 cm thick, for a pleasant crunch. For the imitation crab meat, shred it into thin strips. This helps the dressing to coat the pieces better and gives a softer texture. Alternatively, you can finely chop it.
Step 3
To add a refreshing fruity note, we’ll use the apple with its skin on. The skin is packed with nutrients, so wash it thoroughly by rubbing it with baking soda or coarse salt. Rinse it under running water. Then, slice the apple into half-moon shapes, similar in thickness to the cucumber, and make them bite-sized. Be sure to remove the core and seeds.
Step 4
Finally, let’s prepare the main ingredient, the lettuce. Wash the lettuce leaves carefully, one by one, under cold running water. Gently shake off excess water. Tear the lettuce leaves into bite-sized pieces, about the size of a mouthful. Now, add the cleaned and drained lettuce, the sliced cucumber, shredded imitation crab meat, and the apple slices to the bowl with the prepared dressing. Gently toss everything together to ensure the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the lettuce mushy. Transfer the salad to a serving dish and sprinkle with a few extra toasted sesame seeds for garnish. Your refreshing and flavorful apple lettuce salad is now ready to be enjoyed!
