Crisp and Fragrant Water Parsley and Onion Salad
Springtime Delicacy: The Perfect Pairing of Water Parsley and Onion! A Top Recipe Packed with Refreshing Flavors and Abundant Health Benefits
Water parsley, imbued with the essence of spring, has long been cherished as a precious ingredient, even gracing the royal tables of ancient kings for its exceptional detoxification properties. It aids in liver detoxification, is excellent for preventing fatty liver and cirrhosis, and effectively lowers blood cholesterol levels, purifying the blood. Moreover, it possesses the remarkable ability to eliminate carcinogens and heavy metals from the body. It’s said that water parsley even purifies the water in the fields where it grows, making it a true gift from nature. However, it’s important to remove the roots as they can accumulate heavy metals, and soaking the herb in vinegar water before consumption helps to thoroughly cleanse it of any dirt or tiny creatures. Onion, the perfect companion to water parsley, is a powerhouse of quercetin. This compound doubles the abundant benefits of water parsley, making it renowned as an anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer food. It plays a crucial role in suppressing free radicals, the primary culprits of cancer, thereby preventing cell aging, vascular inflammation, and cancer development. The generous amount of quercetin in both water parsley and onions acts as a potent antioxidant, effectively blocking the expression of genes and cells that cause disease within our bodies. This combination of water parsley and onion is a match made in heaven, offering both exquisite taste and remarkable health benefits. Foods that pair well with water parsley include onion, pork, seaweed, and kelp. Foods to avoid are cucumbers and sweet potatoes. The enzyme ascrobaminase in cucumbers destroys the abundant vitamin C in water parsley. Consuming them together with sweet potatoes can lead to excessive potassium intake, potentially lowering blood pressure, so caution is advised.
Main Ingredients- 200g fresh water parsley
- 1 medium onion
Spicy and Sweet Dressing- 3 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp red chili paste (gochujang)
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (maesil-cheong)
- 1/2 Tbsp stevia (or sugar, to taste)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of sesame seeds
- 3 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp red chili paste (gochujang)
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (maesil-cheong)
- 1/2 Tbsp stevia (or sugar, to taste)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 200g of fresh water parsley and 1 medium onion. Rinse the water parsley thoroughly under running water.
Step 2
Place the cleaned water parsley in a bowl, fill with plenty of water, add 2 tablespoons of vinegar, and let it soak for 5 minutes. This step is effective in removing any small insects or impurities that might be hidden within the water parsley.
Step 3
Now, prepare to blanch the water parsley. Fill a pot with ample water, add 1 tablespoon of salt, and bring it to a rolling boil. While eating water parsley raw is good, blanching it can increase the content of quercetin and kaempferol by up to 60%, further enhancing its anti-cancer benefits.
Step 4
Once the water is boiling, add the prepared water parsley and blanch for about 1 minute, flipping it gently. Be careful not to overcook, as this will diminish its crisp texture. Immediately transfer the blanched water parsley to cold water and rinse quickly under running water to cool it down.
Step 5
Gently squeeze out excess water from the rinsed water parsley with your hands. Then, cut it into bite-sized pieces, about 5cm in length. Cutting it too short might prevent the dressing from adhering well, so aim for a suitable length.
Step 6
It’s time to make the dressing. In a bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon of red chili paste, 2 tablespoons of plum extract, and 1/2 tablespoon of stevia (adjust sweetness to your preference). Mix these ingredients well.
Step 7
Add the cut water parsley and thinly sliced onion to the bowl with the dressing. Slicing the onion thinly will help it integrate better with the water parsley for a more delicious result.
Step 8
Pour all the prepared dressing over the ingredients and gently mix by hand, like kneading dough. Toss gently to ensure the dressing is evenly distributed without mashing the water parsley.
Step 9
Finally, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds for added aroma and flavor. Give it one last light toss, and your delicious water parsley and onion salad is complete.
Step 10
Your crisp, sweet, sour, and spicy water parsley and onion salad is ready! Enjoy this healthy side dish that will surely whet your appetite this spring.
