Spinach Seasoned with Savory Soybean Paste
Spinach Seasoned with Savory Soybean Paste [An Unexpected Pairing of Spinach and Doenjang! A Unique and Charming Side Dish Enhanced by Savory Doenjang and Nutty Sesame Oil!]
Spinach is a delicious and highly nutritious vegetable. Did you know fresh spinach is also fantastic in salads? I often buy it for salads, but today, I decided to make it into a side dish. While I frequently make spinach salad, I had never tried seasoning it with doenjang (Korean soybean paste). A neighbor told me it was delicious this way, so I gave it a try! The fresh spinach, savory doenjang, and nutty sesame oil surprisingly pair wonderfully together, creating a dish with a distinct and appealing charm.
Ingredients- 2 bundles spinach (approx. 200g)
- 1 Tbsp doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 5cm white part of green onion
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, bring a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the 2 bundles of thoroughly washed spinach and blanch for about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook, as it can become mushy. Immediately rinse the blanched spinach under cold running water to cool it down. Then, squeeze out as much water as possible by hand.
Step 2
Prepare about 5cm of the white part of the green onion and mince it finely. This will add aromatic flavor to the seasoning.
Step 3
Place the squeezed spinach in a mixing bowl. Add 1 Tbsp of doenjang, 1/2 Tbsp of minced garlic, and the finely minced green onion.
Step 4
Drizzle in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil and gently mix everything together with your hands until well combined. Initially, I tried mixing with just the doenjang, but it didn’t distribute evenly. Adding the sesame oil helped the seasoning coat the spinach beautifully and evenly. It’s best to add the sesame oil during the mixing process.
Step 5
Your delicious Spinach Seasoned with Savory Doenjang is ready! It’s best to prepare this dish in the amount you plan to eat right away. If stored in the refrigerator and reheated, it can become watery and lose its flavor. Like most foods, it tastes best when freshly made. Enjoy the wonderful harmony of the savory doenjang, nutty sesame oil, and the aromatic notes of minced garlic and green onion in this delightful side dish.
