Nutrient-Rich! Winter Spinach Namul (Seasoned Spinach) Recipe
Fragrant Winter Spinach Namul – Perfect for Holidays and Ancestral Rites, Even Off-Season
Here’s a recipe that brings out the best of fresh, seasonal spinach. This method uses minimal seasoning, making it ideal for ancestral rites or holiday tables. Enjoy the pure, delicious taste of spinach itself.
Main Ingredients- 500g fresh spinach
- 1 Tbsp coarse salt (for blanching spinach)
Seasoning- 2 tsp fine salt (or sea salt, for seasoning)
- A drizzle of sesame oil
- Generous amount of ground sesame seeds
- A pinch of whole sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 2 tsp fine salt (or sea salt, for seasoning)
- A drizzle of sesame oil
- Generous amount of ground sesame seeds
- A pinch of whole sesame seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Carefully trim the spinach, keeping the root ends intact. Instead of cutting off the roots completely, gently scrape off any dirt with the back of a knife. If the roots are thick, split them in half lengthwise. Rinse the spinach thoroughly multiple times under running water to remove any soil or debris.
Step 2
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon of coarse salt. When the water boils, add the spinach starting with the root ends. Blanch for no more than 30 seconds, ensuring not to overcook it. Spinach cooks very quickly; blanching just until it wilts will maintain its crisp texture.
Step 3
Immediately after blanching, drain the spinach and quickly rinse it under cold running water to cool it down. This step helps to retain the vibrant green color and crispness of the spinach.
Step 4
Gently squeeze out excess water from the spinach using both hands. Avoid squeezing too hard, as this can crush the spinach. Lightly press to remove water. Add 2 teaspoons of fine salt to the squeezed spinach and mix well by gently tossing. Adjust the salt amount to your taste.
Step 5
Once the spinach is seasoned, add a drizzle of sesame oil and a generous amount of ground sesame seeds. Mix gently to finish. The sesame oil and seeds will enhance the spinach’s flavor beautifully.
Step 6
For an even nuttier aroma, you can grind your own sesame seeds using a mortar and pestle or a grinder. Finally, sprinkle a pinch of whole sesame seeds on top for garnish. Your delicious and visually appealing seasoned spinach is ready to serve. It’s especially wonderful with a bowl of warm rice!
