Crispy Carrot Salad Recipe (Big Mama Lee Hye-jung Style)
Refreshing and Sweet & Sour Carrot Namul Muchim
Carrots are a delicious and healthy vegetable that can be enjoyed fresh year-round. The beta-carotene in carrots offers potent antioxidant benefits, helping to prevent aging and potentially reduce cancer risk. Additionally, lutein and lycopene are excellent for maintaining good eye health. Today, we’ll be making a delightful carrot namul muchim that will awaken your appetite. We’ll be using a special seasoning recipe from renowned culinary expert Lee Hye-jung, making it even more extraordinary! This flavorful carrot salad is perfect as a side dish for any meal or for entertaining guests. Let’s get started on this delicious carrot dish!
Ingredients
- 1 medium-sized carrot
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce (ganjang)
- 3 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 100g toasted sesame seeds (generous amount)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the carrot thoroughly and peel it thinly. Then, julienne it into very fine, long strips. If you’re not comfortable with knife skills, using a mandoline slicer will make this process much easier and result in beautifully cut carrots!
Step 2
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add half a tablespoon of salt to the boiling water to season it. Then, carefully add the julienned carrots. It’s crucial to remove the carrots as soon as the water comes to a boil again. Boiling them for too long will make them mushy, so be mindful of the timing.
Step 3
Immediately after blanching, rinse the carrots under cold running water to quickly cool them down. This step helps preserve the crispiness of the carrots. Gently press the rinsed carrots with both hands to squeeze out as much water as possible. Excess water can dilute the flavor of the salad.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the delicious seasoning! In a large bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 3 tablespoons of nutty sesame oil, 1 tablespoon of tangy vinegar, 1/2 tablespoon of sugar for a touch of sweetness, and 1 teaspoon of minced garlic for aroma. Finally, add the generously prepared 100g of toasted sesame seeds and mix everything well to create the seasoning.
Step 5
Place the drained carrot strips into a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of the prepared sesame seed seasoning. Important note: Do not add all the seasoning at once! This seasoning is made in a larger quantity to be used for other side dishes as well. Use only a portion for the carrot salad and store the rest for future use.
Step 6
Gently mix the carrots with the seasoning. The key secret to this carrot salad is the abundant use of sesame seeds! The generous amount of sesame seeds creates an incredibly nutty flavor that fills your mouth. The combination of crisp texture with savory, sweet, and sour notes makes this carrot namul muchim absolutely delightful. Enjoy your perfectly seasoned carrot salad!
