Spicy & Sweet Seasoned Perilla Leaves Recipe
How to Make Delicious and Easy Seasoned Perilla Leaves
A recipe for a refreshing seasoned dish using perilla leaves grown at home. Remove the tough stems and use only the tender leaves, blanch them, and then mix with a delicious seasoning. The blend of pungent spiciness, subtle sweetness, and savory perilla oil creates a dish that’s incredibly addictive with rice. It’s a perfect side dish for when you have a low appetite.
Essential Ingredients- 260g fresh perilla leaves
- Pinch of salt (for blanching and seasoning)
Flavor-Enhancing Seasonings- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste for spiciness)
- 1 Tbsp Jin Ganjang (Korean soy sauce for umami)
- 1 Tbsp Maesil Cheong (Plum extract for sweet and sour taste)
- 1 tsp minced garlic (for aroma)
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion (for freshness)
- 1 tsp Anchovy sauce or Fish sauce (for enhanced flavor)
- 1/2 Tbsp Perilla oil (for nutty flavor)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds (for a nutty finish)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste for spiciness)
- 1 Tbsp Jin Ganjang (Korean soy sauce for umami)
- 1 Tbsp Maesil Cheong (Plum extract for sweet and sour taste)
- 1 tsp minced garlic (for aroma)
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion (for freshness)
- 1 tsp Anchovy sauce or Fish sauce (for enhanced flavor)
- 1/2 Tbsp Perilla oil (for nutty flavor)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds (for a nutty finish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the fresh perilla leaves by washing them thoroughly. First, neatly trim off the long, tough stem parts of the perilla leaves. Then, separate and prepare only the soft, tender leaf portions. Remove any wilted leaves or debris.
Step 2
Now, let’s blanch the perilla leaves to soften them. Fill a pot with plenty of water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, add a pinch of salt and then add the prepared perilla leaves. Stir gently with a spoon or ladle to ensure all the leaves are submerged in the water. Immediately cover the pot and blanch quickly for about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to over-blanch, as they can become mushy. Once blanched, quickly drain the leaves and rinse them under cold running water several times to cool them down. Gently squeeze out excess water using both hands. Avoid squeezing too hard, as this can impart a raw taste; squeeze just enough to remove most of the water.
Step 3
It’s time to make the delicious seasoning! In a small bowl, combine 1 Tbsp Gochujang, 1 Tbsp Jin Ganjang, 1 Tbsp Maesil Cheong, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp chopped green onion, 1 tsp anchovy sauce, 1/2 Tbsp perilla oil, and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds. Mix all the ingredients well until the seasoning is evenly combined. Stir thoroughly to ensure all flavors meld together.
Step 4
Add the prepared seasoning to the blanched and squeezed perilla leaves. Gently mix and toss with your hands until the leaves are evenly coated with the seasoning. It’s important to mix gently to prevent the leaves from breaking apart.
Step 5
Finally, transfer the seasoned perilla leaves to a serving dish, arranging them nicely. For an extra touch, you can sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on top. Enjoy this delicious seasoned perilla leaves dish with a bowl of freshly steamed rice!
