Spicy Garlic Scape Salad (Gochujang Marinade)
A Delicious Recipe for Garlic Scapes Marinated in Gochujang! Learn how to make this flavorful and simple seasonal side dish.
We’ve made a delicious garlic scape salad marinated in a spicy gochujang sauce, featuring a delightful crisp texture and a pungent aroma. This recipe uses simple ingredients to create an impressive side dish.
Main Ingredients- 250g garlic scapes
- 1 Tbsp vinegar (for washing garlic scapes)
- 1/2 Tbsp salt (for blanching)
First Seasoning (Pre-marination)- 1 Tbsp red chili flakes (for initial coating)
- 1 Tbsp red chili flakes (for initial coating)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Preparing the garlic scapes is very simple. If the tips are slightly wilted, just trim off the dry, ragged ends. You don’t need to cut off too much.
Step 2
Cut the prepared garlic scapes into bite-sized pieces, about 4-5 cm long. If they are too short, they might be awkward to eat, and if they are too long, the seasoning might not penetrate well.
Step 3
As shown in the photo, the plump seed pods are nutritious, so include them when cutting. Discard the dry, papery leaves as they can be tough or have an unpleasant texture.
Step 4
Rinse the cleaned garlic scapes in water 2-3 times. Then, soak them in water with 1 tablespoon of vinegar for about 5 minutes to help remove any residual pesticides. Afterward, rinse them thoroughly and drain them well in a colander.
Step 5
Fill a pot with plenty of water and bring it to a rolling boil with 1/2 tablespoon of salt. Adding salt while blanching helps to maintain the vibrant green color of the garlic scapes and enhances their crisp texture.
Step 6
Once the water is boiling, add the prepared garlic scapes and blanch them for just 1-2 minutes. The cooking time can vary depending on the thickness and freshness of the scapes, so it’s crucial to check for doneness and adjust the time accordingly. Over-blanching will make them mushy.
Step 7
Without rinsing the blanched garlic scapes, place them in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of red chili flakes and mix gently to coat evenly. Pre-seasoning with chili flakes like this helps to absorb the moisture released from the scapes, preventing the sauce from becoming watery and ensuring it adheres well.
Step 8
Now, let’s make the delicious main sauce. In a separate bowl, combine 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1/2 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of red chili flakes, 2 tablespoons of gochujang, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of corn syrup. Mix them well. The corn syrup adds a nice gloss and helps balance the sweetness.
Step 9
Add the prepared main sauce to the garlic scapes that have been pre-seasoned with chili flakes. Gently mix everything together, ensuring the sauce coats every piece of garlic scape. Thoroughly combining is key for even flavor distribution.
Step 10
Finally, stir in 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil and 1/2 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds to finish. These add a wonderful nutty aroma and flavor to the dish.
Step 11
This garlic scape salad with gochujang offers a delightful kick from the pungent garlic and a perfectly balanced spicy-sweet flavor. It’s an exceptional side dish that will surely whet your appetite, and it’s surprisingly easy to make!
