Nutrient-Rich & Tender Kochia Greens Salad with Soybean Paste Dressing
A Spring Delicacy: Refresh Your Appetite with Fragrant Kochia Greens Salad!
Introducing a delicious Kochia greens (also known as summer cypress) salad packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. It’s beneficial for bone health, preventing cardiovascular diseases, and managing diabetes. This is a healthy side dish perfect for when you lack appetite in spring.
Main Ingredients- Fresh Kochia Greens (Bireum Namul) 450g
- Salt for blanching 1 tsp
Seasoning Ingredients- Soybean Paste (Doenjang) 1.5 Tbsp (adjust if using homemade doenjang)
- Minced Garlic 1 tsp
- Sesame Oil 1.5 Tbsp
- Toasted Sesame Seeds 1 Tbsp (generous amount)
- Soybean Paste (Doenjang) 1.5 Tbsp (adjust if using homemade doenjang)
- Minced Garlic 1 tsp
- Sesame Oil 1.5 Tbsp
- Toasted Sesame Seeds 1 Tbsp (generous amount)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, carefully prepare the Kochia greens. If the stems seem too tough, trim off any woody ends or fibrous parts. Using fresh, tender greens is key to a delicious result.
Step 2
Bring a generous pot of water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add 1 teaspoon of salt to the water. Blanching the greens with salt helps them retain their vibrant green color and a crisp texture.
Step 3
Add the prepared Kochia greens to the boiling water and blanch for just 30 seconds. Overcooking can make the greens mushy and diminish their nutrients, so timing is crucial!
Step 4
Immediately remove the blanched Kochia greens from the hot water and plunge them into cold water to cool down. Then, gently rinse the greens under running cold water, agitating them lightly two to three times. This process helps remove any residual bitterness or impurities and also stops the cooking process.
Step 5
Gently squeeze out excess water from the washed Kochia greens with your hands. Too much water can dilute the seasoning. Chop the greens into bite-sized pieces, about 3-4 cm long. In a mixing bowl, combine the soybean paste, minced garlic, sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds. Gently mix everything together with the greens, ensuring the seasoning is evenly distributed. Avoid overmixing, as this can break down the delicate greens.
Step 6
Voila! Your delicious Kochia Greens Salad with Soybean Paste dressing is ready. The savory and slightly salty doenjang perfectly complements the fresh, herbaceous flavor of the greens, creating a truly delightful dish. Enjoy it with your rice!
