Savory Perilla Leaf Seasoning Sauce
How to Prepare Perilla Leaves and Make a Delicious Seasoning Sauce for a Rice-Stealing Dish!
Ah, the wonderful aroma of perilla leaves! I recently bought a bag of perilla leaves, and it contained 8 bundles. I decided to make a savory seasoning sauce for perilla leaf kimchi, and placing each leaf on rice made it an irresistible addition to my meal, a true ‘rice thief’! While perilla leaves seem easy to prepare, they can stick together like overlapping palms, which can be a bit daunting. Soaking them in vinegar water for disinfection is the quickest and most effective method.
Ingredients- 80 perilla leaves
- 2 red chilies
- 20g chives
- 3 Tbsp fish sauce (kanari aekjeot)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 4 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 3 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by preparing the perilla leaves! Trim the tough stem ends of the perilla leaves neatly. Also, get your chives and spicy red chilies ready for the seasoning.
Step 2
Now it’s time to disinfect the perilla leaves. Place the perilla leaves neatly in a large bowl, trying not to scatter them. Pour water to cover the leaves and add 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Let them soak for about 30 minutes to disinfect. (It’s important not to stir the leaves too much at this stage, as it will make separating and preparing them later very difficult. Arrange them neatly from the beginning.)
Step 3
After disinfecting, rinse the perilla leaves thoroughly under running water. Gently shake each leaf while rinsing, repeating this about 5 times to ensure all dirt and debris are removed. This thorough washing guarantees clean leaves for your dish.
Step 4
Drain the washed perilla leaves well. It’s crucial to remove as much moisture as possible. You can place them in a colander to drain, or gently pat them dry with paper towels to prevent the seasoning from becoming diluted.
Step 5
Now, let’s prepare the vegetables for the seasoning. Chop the chives into approximately 2 cm lengths. Finely mince the red chilies after removing the seeds. (If you prefer a spicier kick, you can use Korean green chilies instead of red ones.)
Step 6
We’ll now lightly cure the perilla leaves. In a bowl, add 3 tablespoons of fish sauce and gently toss the perilla leaves. Let them cure for about 10 minutes. This process helps the leaves soften and absorb the seasoning better.
Step 7
Let’s make the delicious perilla leaf seasoning! Gently press the cured perilla leaves to release some of the fish sauce. Then, add 2 tablespoons of plum extract, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 4 tablespoons of red pepper flakes, the minced red chilies, 3 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds, and the chopped chives. Mix everything well. Let the seasoning mixture sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 8
It’s time to spread the seasoning onto the perilla leaves! Take about 3 to 4 perilla leaves at a time and generously spread the prepared seasoning evenly over them. Coating each leaf thoroughly ensures a rich flavor in every bite.
Step 9
Your delicious perilla leaf kimchi is ready with the savory seasoning sauce! Simply spread the sauce and it’s done. You can enjoy this wonderfully aromatic and flavorful perilla leaf kimchi right away. It’s an absolute delight with a bowl of rice!
