Savory Acorn Jelly Salad with a Tangy Dressing
The Secret to Delicious Acorn Jelly Salad: Proper Seasoning!
Acorn has been a beloved edible ingredient in Korea since the Neolithic period. The aconic acid in acorns is excellent for relieving fatigue and hangovers, and it helps expel heavy metals and other harmful substances from the body. Furthermore, the tannin components in acorns remove free radicals, preventing various bacteria and viruses, protecting the stomach, and even stopping severe diarrhea. Today, we’ll make an acorn jelly salad using homemade acorn jelly. This recipe is by Chef Kim Dae-seok. Mastering the seasoning is key!
Ingredients
- 800g Acorn Jelly (homemade or store-bought)
- 4 Lettuce leaves
- 4 Romaine lettuce leaves
- 1 handful of Crown Daisy (about 50g)
- A little Carrot (approx. 1/4 small carrot)
- 1/2 medium Onion
- 1/2 medium Cucumber
- 5 stalks of Green Onion (approx. 10cm long)
- 1 Tbsp coarsely ground Sesame Seeds
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Plum Extract
- 2 Tbsp Water (for dressing)
- 1 Cheongyang chili pepper (or 2 for more heat)
Seasoning for Acorn Jelly
- 3 pinches of Salt (approx. 1/4 tsp)
- 1 Tbsp Perilla Oil
- 1 Tbsp Vinegar
- 3 pinches of Salt (approx. 1/4 tsp)
- 1 Tbsp Perilla Oil
- 1 Tbsp Vinegar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the acorn jelly. This recipe uses half the amount of homemade acorn jelly, and other ingredients are also halved accordingly. If you are using store-bought acorn jelly, you can use one entire 800g block. Homemade acorn jelly is made by mixing acorn powder with water and letting it set, offering a wonderfully chewy texture.
Step 2
Cut the acorn jelly into bite-sized pieces. Typically, cutting it into pieces about 1.5cm wide and 4cm long allows the seasoning to penetrate well and enhances the eating experience. If the jelly is too cold, it can be difficult to cut; gently warming it slightly or letting it sit at room temperature before slicing will prevent it from breaking and result in cleaner cuts.
Step 3
Prepare the vegetables. Wash the lettuce and romaine lettuce thoroughly, pat them dry, and then cut them into roughly 5cm pieces. For the crown daisy, gently pluck the tender leaves into bite-sized portions. Thinly julienne the carrot and onion. Slice the cucumber into 0.5cm thick half-moons. Cut the green onions into 3-4cm lengths. (If you are using water parsley instead, cut it into 5cm lengths).
Step 4
Make the delicious dressing. Finely mince the Cheongyang chili pepper. In a bowl, combine the minced chili pepper, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp plum extract, and 2 Tbsp water. Mix well. Adding a little water prevents the dressing from being too thick, allowing it to coat the vegetables and jelly evenly and helping to maintain the crispiness of the vegetables.
Step 5
The key secret to a flavorful acorn jelly salad is proper seasoning! Lightly toss the cut acorn jelly with 3 pinches of salt, 1 Tbsp perilla oil, and 1 Tbsp vinegar. The nutty aroma of the perilla oil and the tanginess of the vinegar will subtly infuse the jelly, giving it a richer flavor and a more resilient texture. Adding the vinegar first helps prevent the vegetables from becoming too soggy when mixed later.
Step 6
Add about half of the prepared dressing to the seasoned acorn jelly and gently mix. This allows the jelly to absorb some of the initial flavor while keeping it from becoming overpowering.
Step 7
Now, arrange the prepared vegetables attractively over the acorn jelly. Drizzle the remaining dressing evenly over the vegetables. Finally, sprinkle 1 Tbsp of coarsely ground sesame seeds on top for an added nutty fragrance. To keep the vegetables fresh and crisp, avoid overmixing; toss gently.
Step 8
Voila! Your refreshing ‘Acorn Jelly Salad’ is ready, featuring the fragrant vegetables and chewy acorn jelly. The crispness of the vegetables, the delightful texture of the jelly, and the well-balanced dressing create a fantastic dish. It’s a simple yet healthy meal or a perfect accompaniment to drinks.
