Refreshing Sea Purslane Salad (Se-bal Namul Muchim)
A Refreshing and Flavorful Sea Purslane Salad to Spark Your Appetite
When I visited my parents’ home, my mom shared some fresh sea purslane she had bought. I decided to make a vibrant salad with it, similar to a ‘geotjeori’ (fresh kimchi)! It’s a dish that seniors particularly enjoy when they lose their appetite during the mild spring weather. It’s wonderfully refreshing and satisfying!
Main Ingredients- Sea purslane 60g (washed clean)
Seasoning Ingredients- Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Vinegar 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 0.5 Tbsp
- Fish sauce (Kkanari aekjeot) 1 Tbsp
- Toasted sesame seeds, a pinch
- Sesame oil 1.5 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Vinegar 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 0.5 Tbsp
- Fish sauce (Kkanari aekjeot) 1 Tbsp
- Toasted sesame seeds, a pinch
- Sesame oil 1.5 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the sea purslane by washing it thoroughly. If you prefer a slightly softer texture, you can briefly blanch it in boiling water, but be careful not to overcook it as it can become mushy. Ensure the washed sea purslane is well-drained to prevent the dressing from becoming watery.
Step 2
Mince the garlic finely. It doesn’t need to be perfectly smooth, but a finer mince will help the flavors distribute more evenly throughout the salad.
Step 3
In a medium-sized bowl, combine all the seasoning ingredients: 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp vinegar, 1 Tbsp fish sauce, 1 Tbsp gochugaru, 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic, 1.5 Tbsp sesame oil, and a pinch of toasted sesame seeds.
Step 4
Whisk the seasoning ingredients together until well combined. Mixing the dressing thoroughly before adding the sea purslane ensures that the flavors are evenly distributed, resulting in a more delicious salad. It’s like preparing a fresh kimchi dressing!
Step 5
Once the dressing is well mixed, add the well-drained sea purslane to the bowl. Gently toss and mix the sea purslane with the dressing using your hands, as if you are gently massaging it. Be careful not to break the delicate sea purslane strands.
Step 6
Finally, transfer the beautifully tossed sea purslane salad to a serving plate. Your refreshing and delicious sea purslane salad is ready to be enjoyed! It’s the perfect side dish to awaken your appetite, especially on a spring day.