Savory Spinach and Fried Tofu Salad
How to Make a Delicious Spinach and Fried Tofu Salad: A Healthy and Flavorful Side Dish
Spinach prices were quite high for a while, making me hesitate to buy it, but they’ve finally stabilized! I’m excited to share a recipe for a delicious seasoned spinach salad that I haven’t made in a while. This savory spinach salad, perfect as a side dish for rice or as a filling for kimbap, gets an upgrade with the addition of chewy fried tofu. By lightly blanching and squeezing out the excess water from the fried tofu before mixing it with the seasoned spinach, you can enhance the umami flavor and make the spinach salad even more delightful. It’s a dish that even picky eaters tend to enjoy! It tasted incredibly savory and delicious, perhaps because it’s been so long since I last had it. I’ll guide you step-by-step through preparing the spinach, blanching time, and a delicious seasoning recipe!
Ingredients- 300g Spinach
- 1/2 Tbsp Salt (for blanching spinach)
- 1 handful Shredded Fried Tofu
Seasoning Ingredients- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Minced Green Onion
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce for Soup (Guk-ganjang)
- 3 Pinches Salt
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds (ground)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Whole Sesame Seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Minced Green Onion
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce for Soup (Guk-ganjang)
- 3 Pinches Salt
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds (ground)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Whole Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 300g of spinach. The spinach I bought was quite clean, so I didn’t need much preparation. Here’s how to prepare spinach generally: Remove any yellow or wilted leaves. The roots are nutritious, so instead of cutting them off completely, gently scrape off any dirt and use them. If the roots are thick, you can make a slit lengthwise; this helps them cook evenly and improves the texture.
Step 2
After preparing the spinach, rinse it thoroughly under running water to remove any remaining soil.
Step 3
Fill a wide pot with enough water to cover the spinach and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling rapidly, add 1/2 tablespoon of salt. Adding salt helps the spinach retain its vibrant color and season it slightly.
Step 4
When the water boils again, carefully place the spinach roots into the boiling water first and blanch for about 20-30 seconds.
Step 5
Gently stir the spinach to ensure it cooks evenly. Be careful not to over-blanch, as this will make it mushy and less appealing. A key to delicious spinach salad is the blanching time! Blanching for under 30 seconds typically preserves a nice, crisp texture.
Step 6
Once blanched, quickly transfer the spinach to a colander to drain. Immediately rinse it under cold running water until it cools down. This stops the cooking process and helps maintain its vibrant green color and crispness.
Step 7
After cooling, squeeze out as much water as possible from the spinach with your hands. Place it in a bowl and gently tear it into bite-sized pieces or cut it. If the spinach is clumped together, gently loosen it with your fingers so that the seasoning can be absorbed evenly.
Step 8
Now, let’s prepare the additional ingredients for the spinach salad. Finely mince 1 tablespoon of green onion and prepare about one handful of shredded fried tofu. If using frozen fried tofu, thaw it first.
Step 9
Blanch the shredded fried tofu in boiling water for about 5 seconds. This helps remove any raw taste and softens the tofu slightly. Don’t over-blanch, as it can become too mushy; just a quick dip is enough.
Step 10
Rinse the blanched fried tofu in cold water and then squeeze out the excess water thoroughly. Squeezing out the water prevents the salad from becoming watery and ensures the seasonings mix well.
Step 11
In a large bowl, combine the prepared spinach, squeezed fried tofu, and 1 tablespoon of minced green onion.
Step 12
Add all the seasoning ingredients: 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic, 1 tablespoon soy sauce for soup, 3 pinches of salt, 1 tablespoon toasted ground sesame seeds for savory flavor, and 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Gently mix everything together with your hands.
Step 13
After mixing well to distribute the seasoning evenly, taste a strand of the spinach salad to check the flavor. If needed, add a little more salt to adjust to your preference. Loosen any clumps and finish mixing gently.
Step 14
Transfer the delicious seasoned spinach and fried tofu salad to a serving plate. Sprinkle with whole sesame seeds for a final touch. Your savory and healthy spinach and fried tofu salad is ready to enjoy!
