Savory Seasoned Spinach (Sigeumchi Namul)
Make Delicious Side Dishes with Seasoned Spinach for Daeboreum!
I bought a bunch of fresh spinach and made a delicious side dish! This seasoned spinach is a classic Korean banchan, perfect for a healthy and flavorful addition to your meals.
Main Ingredients
- 1 bunch fresh spinach (approx. 300-400g)
- 1 Tbsp salt (for blanching)
Seasoning
- 1.5 Tbsp tuna extract (or soy sauce for soup)
- Pinch of salt (to taste)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1.5 Tbsp tuna extract (or soy sauce for soup)
- Pinch of salt (to taste)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the spinach by trimming off any yellow or wilted leaves and cleaning the roots thoroughly. The roots often hold a lot of soil, so pay close attention to cleaning them.
Step 2
Spinach can be quite sandy. Fill a large basin with water and gently swish the spinach around to wash away the dirt. It’s best to rinse it 2-3 times until all the soil is removed. If you have extra time, soaking the spinach in water for about 10 minutes before washing can help loosen stubborn dirt.
Step 3
While the spinach is being prepped, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, add 1 tablespoon of salt. This helps to remove any bitterness from the spinach and enhances its vibrant green color.
Step 4
When the water is vigorously boiling, add the prepared spinach. Use chopsticks to gently turn the spinach over for just about 10 seconds. Overcooking will make the spinach mushy and lose its crispness, so be quick! The key is to submerge, briefly flip, and then immediately remove.
Step 5
Immediately after blanching, transfer the spinach to a bowl of cold water to cool it down. Rinsing in cold water helps to preserve the spinach’s crisp texture. Rinse it thoroughly in cold water 2-3 more times to remove any remaining impurities and then drain well.
Step 6
Now it’s time to squeeze out some of the water. Here’s an important tip: Squeezing out all the water will make the spinach dry and less flavorful. Gently press the spinach with your hands to retain some moisture; this is the secret to a tender and delicious seasoned spinach.
Step 7
Place the lightly squeezed spinach in a mixing bowl. Add all the seasoning ingredients (tuna extract, pinch of salt, sesame oil, and sesame seeds). Gently mix and toss the spinach with your hands to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed. Taste and add a tiny pinch more salt if needed.
Step 8
Congratulations! Your fragrant and healthy seasoned spinach (Sigeumchi Namul) is ready. It’s a simple yet delicious side dish that will be a perfect accompaniment to a warm bowl of rice.
