Long-Lasting Spinach Storage & Delicious Soybean Paste Seasoning
How to Freeze Spinach & Spinach Soybean Paste Salad Recipe
Spinach prices can skyrocket, making it a ‘precious’ vegetable sometimes! Learn the best way to freeze spinach so you can enjoy it year-round. We’ll also share a simple and incredibly tasty recipe for spinach seasoned with soybean paste. Prepare ahead and never worry about the ‘gold price’ of spinach again!
For Freezing Spinach- 1kg spinach
- 1/2 Tbsp coarse salt
For Spinach Soybean Paste Salad- 1 Tbsp soybean paste (doenjang)
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp soybean paste (doenjang)
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare 1kg of fresh spinach. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and add 1/2 Tbsp of coarse salt. Carefully add the spinach and blanch for just 5 seconds – no longer, or it will become mushy! Immediately drain the spinach and rinse it once under cold water.
Step 2
Lightly pat the blanched spinach dry. For larger spinach bunches, cut the thick stems into quarters; for smaller ones, make a shallow cut and tear them into bite-sized pieces by hand. This helps the seasoning to penetrate better and improves the texture. Rinse the spinach one more time.
Step 3
Drain the rinsed spinach in a colander, but don’t press out all the moisture. Leave it slightly damp. Place the spinach directly into a clean resealable plastic bag. It’s important not to squeeze out the water at this stage, as it helps maintain freshness during freezing. Once the spinach is in the bag, scoop a ladleful of the water used for blanching and add it to the bag with the spinach. This water is a secret to keeping the spinach vibrant.
Step 4
Gently press the spinach in the bag to flatten it and remove as much air as possible. Seal the bag tightly. Place the flattened spinach bags on a small tray and stack them neatly before putting them into the freezer. Once frozen solid, you can remove the trays and store the frozen spinach bags directly in your freezer. This flattening method saves valuable freezer space.
Step 5
When ready to use, take about 300g of the frozen spinach. Thaw it completely by soaking it in cold water or placing it in the refrigerator. Cooking immediately after complete thawing will best preserve its fresh texture.
Step 6
Once the spinach is fully thawed, squeeze out excess water by hand. Place the squeezed spinach in a bowl. Add 1 Tbsp of soybean paste (doenjang) and 1/2 Tbsp of minced garlic. *Optional tip: Finely chopped white parts of green onions can be added for extra flavor.
Step 7
Add 1 Tbsp of perilla oil and a pinch of toasted sesame seeds. Gently toss and mix everything together until well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the spinach mushy. Your delicious spinach soybean paste salad is ready! Enjoy it with a bowl of warm rice.
