Savory and Tangy Chinese-Style Spinach and Peanut Salad
Chinese Spinach Salad with Peanuts (果仁菠菜) Recipe – A Refreshing and Unique Side Dish
Hello everyone! Today, I’m excited to share a recipe for Chinese-style spinach salad with peanuts, which offers a distinct charm compared to the Korean version. While spinach salad is a familiar dish, this Chinese rendition elevates it with the delightful crunch of fried peanuts and a special tangy-sweet dressing. If you’re tired of ordinary spinach salads or looking for a novel side dish, this Chinese recipe is for you! The dressing, featuring a generous amount of vinegar and oil, enhances the freshness of the spinach and the nuttiness of the peanuts, making it an irresistible accompaniment to rice. Shall we get started on making this delicious spinach and peanut salad?
Main Ingredients- 300g fresh spinach
- 1 tsp salt
- 50g raw peanuts (if using roasted peanuts, adjust frying time accordingly)
Special Chinese Dressing Ingredients- 3 Tbsp vinegar (I used Chinkiang vinegar, but regular rice vinegar works well)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce (Chinese light soy sauce or regular soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 1/2 tsp chicken stock powder or liquid (for added depth of flavor)
- 1 tsp sugar (adjust to taste; use less if using stevia)
- 8 dried Vietnamese chili peppers (add more for extra spice, or remove seeds)
- 2/3 cup cooking oil (for frying the peanuts and infusing flavor)
- 3 Tbsp vinegar (I used Chinkiang vinegar, but regular rice vinegar works well)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce (Chinese light soy sauce or regular soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 1/2 tsp chicken stock powder or liquid (for added depth of flavor)
- 1 tsp sugar (adjust to taste; use less if using stevia)
- 8 dried Vietnamese chili peppers (add more for extra spice, or remove seeds)
- 2/3 cup cooking oil (for frying the peanuts and infusing flavor)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare about 300g of fresh spinach. Wash it thoroughly under running water, paying close attention to the roots where soil might be trapped.
Step 2
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, add 1 teaspoon of salt. Adding salt helps the spinach retain its vibrant green color and season it slightly.
Step 3
Add the washed spinach to the boiling water. Gently stir it so it wilts evenly.
Step 4
The key is to blanch the spinach for no more than 30 seconds. Overcooking will make it mushy and diminish its nutrients. Once the spinach turns a vibrant green, it’s ready to be removed.
Step 5
Immediately after blanching, drain the spinach and rinse it under cold running water. This shocking process helps to preserve its crisp texture and bright color.
Step 6
Gently squeeze out excess water from the spinach, but don’t wring it out too dry. Place it in a bowl. Over-squeezing can make the spinach mushy.
Step 7
Next, prepare the peanuts. 50g of raw peanuts is ideal. If you’re using roasted peanuts, be mindful that they will cook much faster, so you’ll need to adjust the frying time. (This recipe uses raw peanuts, but tips for roasted peanuts are included.)
Step 8
Now, let’s prepare the special dressing ingredients that are the heart of this Chinese spinach salad! Set aside the ingredients for the dressing and those for frying.
Step 9
You can substitute the vinegar and soy sauce with ones you typically use at home. I used Chinkiang vinegar and light soy sauce, but regular rice vinegar and regular soy sauce will also yield delicious results.
Step 10
First, mince 1 tablespoon of garlic and place it in the bowl where you’ll mix the dressing. Minced garlic adds a crucial layer of flavor.
Step 11
Add 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds to the same bowl. These will contribute a lovely nutty aroma.
Step 12
Cut the 8 dried Vietnamese chili peppers into bite-sized pieces using scissors or a knife and add them to the bowl. If you prefer more heat, you can add more peppers or remove their seeds.
Step 13
In a small saucepan, heat 2/3 cup of cooking oil over low heat. Be careful not to overheat the oil.
Step 14
Add the prepared peanuts to the warm oil and fry them. If you are using pre-roasted peanuts, they will cook very quickly, so just lightly fry them for a very short time to bring out their fragrance. Be careful not to burn them.
Step 15
Remove the fried peanuts from the oil and drain them on a sieve. This makes them extra crispy and prepares the flavorful oil for the dressing.
Step 16
Don’t discard the oil used for frying the peanuts; it will be used directly in the dressing. This oil is infused with the peanuts’ nutty essence and is essential for a flavorful dressing. It needs to be hot to extract the best flavor, so proceed to the next step without letting it cool.
Step 17
Carefully pour the hot oil (not cooled) from frying the peanuts over the dressing ingredients (minced garlic, sesame seeds, chili peppers) in the bowl. Be cautious of the hot oil to avoid burns.
Step 18
Next, add 1/2 teaspoon of chicken stock. Chicken stock adds umami, deepening the overall flavor profile of the dressing.
Step 19
Add 1 teaspoon of oyster sauce. Oyster sauce helps to meld all the flavors together harmoniously.
Step 20
Add 3 tablespoons of vinegar to provide that signature tangy flavor. This vinegar is a cornerstone of Chinese-style dressings.
Step 21
Add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce to balance the overall seasoning.
Step 22
Add 1 teaspoon of sugar to provide a touch of sweetness. I used stevia sweetener, so I only added 1/2 teaspoon. Feel free to adjust the sweetness to your preference.
Step 23
Use a spoon or whisk to thoroughly mix all the dressing ingredients in the bowl. Ensure the oil and other ingredients are well combined and not separated.
Step 24
Add the blanched spinach and fried peanuts to the dressing bowl. Gently toss them together using your hands or tongs. If the spinach stems are thick or the leaves are large, you can cut them into bite-sized pieces for easier eating.
Step 25
Gently mix everything together until the spinach, peanuts, and dressing are well combined. Your delicious Chinese-style spinach and peanut salad is now ready!
Step 26
This spinach and peanut salad, with its perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and nutty flavors, is a fantastic side dish or even a snack. If you’re looking for a unique taste experience, give this recipe a try!
