Fresh Seaweed and Strawberry Salad
How to Prepare Wakame Seaweed and Make a Refreshing Wakame Salad
This recipe introduces how to prepare fresh wakame seaweed, a winter seasonal ingredient, and offers a recipe for a refreshing wakame salad using it. Enjoy the vibrant flavors and healthy benefits!
Wakame Salad Ingredients- Blanched wakame seaweed leaves 150g (Choose tender leaf parts for the best texture)
- Fresh strawberries 150g (Use sweet, in-season strawberries)
- Blueberries 50g (Adds color and antioxidant benefits)
Dressing- Lemon juice 15ml (Freshly squeezed juice enhances the flavor)
- Honey 20ml (Can be substituted with corn syrup or agave nectar to taste)
- Salt 1/3 tsp (To season)
- Sesame oil 10ml (Adds a subtle nutty aroma)
- Sesame seeds (or ground sesame seeds) 1 Tbsp (For garnish and nutty flavor)
- Lemon juice 15ml (Freshly squeezed juice enhances the flavor)
- Honey 20ml (Can be substituted with corn syrup or agave nectar to taste)
- Salt 1/3 tsp (To season)
- Sesame oil 10ml (Adds a subtle nutty aroma)
- Sesame seeds (or ground sesame seeds) 1 Tbsp (For garnish and nutty flavor)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Preparing the Wakame – Step 1: Start by rinsing the fresh wakame seaweed gently in water about twice to remove any dirt or debris. This initial rinse helps preserve its fresh oceanic aroma.
Step 2
Trim off the root part of the wakame. Separate the stems from the leaves, and then cut both the stems and leaves into bite-sized pieces, approximately 2-3 cm long. Separating them allows for better control over the blanching time.
Step 3
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling vigorously, add the cut wakame stems and blanch them for exactly 40 seconds. Be careful not to overcook, as this can make the texture mushy! Immediately transfer the blanched stems to cold water to cool. Then, add the wakame leaves to the same boiling water. Blanch the leaves just until their color turns a vibrant green (about 10-20 seconds). They should be removed immediately to maintain their crisp texture.
Step 4
Drain the blanched wakame thoroughly. Gently squeeze out any excess water with your hands. This prepared wakame is now ready to be used in salads or other dishes.
Step 5
Assembling the Wakame Salad: Place the squeezed wakame leaves in a mixing bowl. Add all the dressing ingredients (lemon juice, honey, salt, and sesame oil) and gently toss to combine, ensuring the seaweed is evenly coated. Finally, add the prepared strawberries and blueberries and mix gently. Your delicious and visually appealing wakame salad is ready to serve! You can also add nuts for extra crunch if desired.
