Spicy and Sweet Chewy Dried Radish Salad
Recipe for Delicious Chewy Dried Radish Salad: A Spicy, Sweet, and Unique Side Dish!
Introducing a truly delicious side dish: a dried radish salad that is both spicy and sweet, with a wonderfully chewy and crisp texture! It’s a delightful treat that’s perfect with a bowl of rice.
Main Ingredients- 1.5 cups dried radish (mu-mallaengi)
- 2/3 cup dried chili leaves
Seasoning Ingredients- 3 Tbsp red chili powder (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp ginger juice
- 1/4 cup glutinous rice paste (chapssal-pul)
- 2 Tbsp fish sauce (e.g., Kkanari-aekjeot)
- 4 Tbsp cooking syrup (or corn syrup)
- 1.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
For Marinating Dried Radish- 1 Tbsp rice wine (mirin)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp red chili powder (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp ginger juice
- 1/4 cup glutinous rice paste (chapssal-pul)
- 2 Tbsp fish sauce (e.g., Kkanari-aekjeot)
- 4 Tbsp cooking syrup (or corn syrup)
- 1.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
For Marinating Dried Radish- 1 Tbsp rice wine (mirin)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all the ingredients for making a delicious dried radish salad. First, get your dried radish and dried chili leaves ready.
Step 2
To soften the dried radish without making it mushy, soak it in warm water for about 20 to 30 minutes. After soaking, rinse it once or twice in cold water, then gently wash it under running water. It’s crucial to squeeze out as much water as possible by hand; this prevents the final salad from becoming watery and ensures a pleasant chewy texture.
Step 3
Next, blanch the dried chili leaves in boiling water for just 2 to 3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become too soft. After blanching, rinse them in cold water once or twice and, similar to the radish, squeeze out the excess water thoroughly by hand.
Step 4
We’ll make the essential glutinous rice paste for the seasoning from scratch. (Ingredients: 1.5 Tbsp glutinous rice flour, 5 Tbsp water) First, in a small bowl, mix the glutinous rice flour and water until smooth, ensuring there are no lumps. (STEP 1) Pour this mixture into a small, concave pan. Over high heat, stir constantly with a spatula for about 40 seconds until it boils and thickens slightly. (STEP 2) Turn off the heat and let it cool completely. This creates a wonderfully chewy and binding paste.
Step 5
Place the squeezed dried radish into a large bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of rice wine (mirin) to help remove any unwanted odor from the radish and to enhance its flavor.
Step 6
Now, add 3 tablespoons of soy sauce. Gently mix the radish with your hands, like kneading dough (‘joom-joom’). This preliminary marination helps the dried radish absorb the main seasonings better. Let it sit for about 10 minutes.
Step 7
Add the prepared blanched dried chili leaves to the bowl with the marinated dried radish. The slightly bitter taste and fragrant aroma of the chili leaves will complement the radish, creating a more complex flavor profile.
Step 8
Add 3 tablespoons of red chili powder (gochugaru) to bring in the spicy element. Feel free to adjust this amount based on your spice preference.
Step 9
Include 1 tablespoon of minced garlic for its pungent aroma, which will further elevate the overall taste of the radish salad.
Step 10
Add 1 tablespoon of ginger juice to impart a subtle warmth and spiciness. If fresh ginger is not available, you can use finely minced fresh ginger.
Step 11
Pour in the 1/4 cup of homemade glutinous rice paste. The rice paste will help make the salad smoother and bind the seasonings together effectively.
Step 12
Add 2 tablespoons of fish sauce (like Kkanari-aekjeot) for that essential savory ‘umami’ flavor. While other types of fish sauce or even soup soy sauce can be used, they might slightly alter the final taste depth.
Step 13
Incorporate 4 tablespoons of cooking syrup (or corn syrup/oligosaccharide) for a touch of sweetness. Adjust the sweetness level to your liking.
Step 14
Finally, add 1.5 tablespoons of sesame oil for a nutty aroma and 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds. Mix everything together thoroughly using your hands (‘joom-joom’) until all ingredients are well combined and coated with the seasoning. The key is to mix generously so the flavors meld beautifully!
Step 15
Transfer the deliciously mixed dried radish salad to a serving plate, presenting it nicely. Your chewy, spicy, and sweet unique side dish is now ready! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice.
