Seasoned Spinach with Gochujang: A Delicious Side Dish for Today
Today’s Side Dish: Seasoned Spinach with Gochujang, featuring ‘Seomcho’ Spinach
A simple and quick recipe for seasoned spinach with a sweet and spicy gochujang sauce, using fresh ‘Seomcho’ spinach. It’s a perfect side dish to boost your appetite and pairs wonderfully with rice, making it ideal for guests too.
Ingredients- Approximately 2 bunches of ‘Seomcho’ spinach
- 3 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp chopped green onion (white parts preferred)
- 2 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or similar sweetener)
- 3 Tbsp perilla oil (deulgireum)
- Sesame seeds (generous amount)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, carefully prepare the ‘Seomcho’ spinach. Instead of detaching all the leaves, it’s best to trim the root ends with a knife and then gently separate the bunches, keeping the leaves attached to the roots. This prevents the leaves from falling off during cooking. Set the prepared spinach aside.
Step 2
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add about 1 tablespoon of salt. The salt helps to maintain the spinach’s vibrant, fresh green color.
Step 3
Add the prepared spinach to the boiling water and blanch it briefly. If you were blanching just one bunch, about 1 minute would suffice, but since we have a larger quantity, blanching for around 3 minutes is recommended. Be careful not to overcook, as it can become mushy. Immediately remove the blanched spinach and rinse it quickly under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. This step helps preserve the spinach’s crisp texture.
Step 4
After rinsing in cold water, firmly squeeze out as much excess water as possible using both hands. If too much water remains, the seasoning will become diluted, and the spinach may turn watery. Once squeezed, gently fluff the spinach with your hands to separate the leaves and prepare it for seasoning.
Step 5
Now, let’s prepare the seasoning. In a large bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of Gochujang, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 2 tablespoons of finely chopped green onion (focusing on the white parts), 2 tablespoons of Oligodang for a touch of sweetness, and 3 tablespoons of flavorful perilla oil for a nutty aroma. Finally, add a generous amount of sesame seeds, according to your preference.
Step 6
Add the prepared seasoning mixture to the spinach and gently mix it by hand. Ensure the Gochujang is evenly distributed and not clumped. Toss the spinach gently to coat every leaf with the seasoning. Once well-seasoned, plate the spinach beautifully to complete this delicious side dish for today!
