Altoran-Style Nutritious Gochu-Sikcho Salad
Nutritious Salad Made with Gochu-Sikcho (Spicy Vinegar) from Altoran
This is a recipe for a nutritious salad featuring Altoran’s special spicy vinegar and pickled eggs. Utilizing homemade spicy vinegar, this salad offers a simple yet elegant option for breakfast or a light meal. The harmonious blend of fresh vegetables, smoked duck, and a zesty, sweet-and-spicy homemade dressing is sure to whet your appetite.
Salad Ingredients- 150g mixed greens (use your favorite greens like romaine, lettuce, baby greens)
- 1 tomato (or cherry tomatoes)
- 3 Korean cucumbers (oigochu)
- 200g smoked duck breast
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 4 Tbsp Gochu-Sikcho solids (chopped pickled chili peppers, garlic, etc., from the brine)
- 4 Tbsp Gochu-Sikcho liquid (the key spicy and sweet sauce component)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Sesame seeds, to taste
- Sesame oil, to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the salad dressing. In a bowl, combine 4 Tbsp of the Gochu-Sikcho liquid and 2 Tbsp of soy sauce. Add 1 Tbsp of minced garlic and 4 Tbsp of the Gochu-Sikcho solids (which are the chopped pickled chili peppers and garlic from the brine). For a nutty aroma, add a pinch of sesame seeds and a dash of sesame oil. Whisk everything together thoroughly until well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more soy sauce or vinegar if needed, according to your preference.
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare the fresh vegetables for the salad. Wash 150g of mixed greens thoroughly and pat them dry. Cut them into bite-sized pieces for easy eating. Halve or quarter 1 tomato, depending on its size. Remove the seeds from 3 Korean cucumbers and slice them thinly for a refreshing crunch.
Step 3
While smoked duck breast can be used as is, removing excess fat will make the salad even cleaner tasting. Place 200g of smoked duck breast on a plate and microwave it for about 1 minute to warm it through. Gently press paper towels onto the warmed duck to absorb any rendered fat.
Step 4
It’s time to combine all the ingredients! In a large bowl, add the prepared mixed greens, the fat-trimmed smoked duck breast, and the special Gochu-Sikcho dressing you just made. Gently toss everything together, being careful not to mash the greens, to ensure the dressing coats all the ingredients evenly. The key is to mix softly so that the natural flavors of the ingredients meld beautifully with the spicy-sweet dressing.
Step 5
Beautifully toss the salad and serve it on a plate. You can optionally garnish with Altoran’s ‘Beet Pickled Eggs’ or regular hard-boiled eggs, or any other topping you fancy. Placing larger pieces on top will make the salad even more substantial and satisfying. Enjoy your delicious and nutritious salad!
