Fragrant and Fresh Lettuce Salad (Sangchu Geotjeori)
The Golden Recipe for Baek Jong-won’s Lettuce Salad, Perfect for Boosting Your Appetite in Summer
Today, I’m sharing Baek Jong-won’s super simple and fail-proof golden recipe for lettuce salad. It’s the perfect side dish to invigorate your appetite during the summer months!^^
Main Ingredients- 1 bag of lettuce (washed thoroughly and drained)
- 1/2 onion (thinly sliced)
Dressing Ingredients- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (e.g., anchovy or sand lance)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds (toasted)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (e.g., anchovy or sand lance)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds (toasted)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the lettuce thoroughly under running water. Then, drain it well in a colander, as excess water can dilute the dressing. Tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces, about 3-4 cm large. If you have perilla leaves (kkaennip) at home, washing and adding a few along with the lettuce will add a lovely fragrance.
Step 2
To add a delightful crunch, thinly slice half an onion. Peel and wash the onion, then slice it as thinly as possible. Thin slices allow the dressing to penetrate better and improve the texture. If you have carrots, you can also thinly julienne them and add a small amount for a splash of color and added nutrition.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the dressing. In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp fish sauce, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1 Tbsp chopped green onion. Mixing all ingredients except for the sesame oil and sesame seeds first helps create a more uniform dressing. The beauty of this recipe is that all the main dressing ingredients are in equal, easy-to-measure amounts!
Step 4
Place the prepared lettuce and sliced onion into a large bowl. Pour about two-thirds of the dressing over the vegetables. It’s best to start with a portion of the dressing and then add more to taste, rather than adding it all at once. Adjust the amount based on your personal preference and the saltiness of your fish sauce.
Step 5
Once the dressing has coated the vegetables well, add 1 Tbsp of sesame oil and 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds for that nutty aroma. Gently toss the salad with your hands – avoid vigorous mixing, which can bruise the lettuce. A light, gentle toss is all you need to finish this delicious lettuce salad. Rubbing the sesame seeds between your palms before adding them will release more of their fragrant oil.
Step 6
Behold, the refreshing Baek Jong-won style lettuce salad is ready! It’s perfect for stimulating your appetite on a warm summer day.
Step 7
Take a bite, and you’ll exclaim, ‘Wow!’ The seasoning is perfectly balanced, and the fresh flavors bursting in your mouth are simply delightful. The ease of preparation combined with the incredible taste is truly the magic of Chef Baek’s recipes. Serve it alongside a bowl of freshly steamed rice for an absolutely delicious meal.
