Spicy, Sweet, and Sour Acorn Jelly Salad with Cucumber
How to Make Acorn Jelly Salad with Cucumber: A Recipe for Acorn Jelly Dressing and Salad
I went to a large supermarket with the kids on the weekend, and they wanted to eat acorn jelly when they saw it. So, I bought a pack! While acorn jelly made fresh at a market is the richest and most delicious, I made this acorn jelly salad with crisp cucumber as a substitute. The spicy, sweet, and sour seasoning makes it a great side dish for rice!
Main Ingredients- 300g acorn jelly
- 1 cucumber
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
It’s great to add various vegetables to acorn jelly salad, but I had a cucumber at home, so I sliced it thinly. Feel free to add other vegetables you have on hand, such as carrots, onions, or perilla leaves, to suit your taste. The dressing ingredients are quite generous, so even with extra vegetables, it won’t be insufficient.
Step 2
Always blanch acorn jelly before mixing. Place the acorn jelly in boiling water and blanch for about 3 minutes. Then, rinse under cold water and drain. Cut into bite-sized pieces (about 1.5 cm thick strips). Alternatively, you can cut it first and then blanch. Blanching in boiling water removes any bitterness or astringency, enhancing the natural flavor and aroma of the acorn jelly, resulting in a soft and chewy texture.
Step 3
To make the acorn jelly dressing: In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 3 Tbsp Jin Ganjang, 2 Tbsp sugar, 2 Tbsp vinegar, and a pinch of sesame seeds. Mix well with a spoon. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your preference by adding more of any ingredient. Making the dressing beforehand allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 4
In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumber and the blanched acorn jelly. Add about half of the prepared dressing, and gently toss the ingredients to coat, being careful not to break the acorn jelly. Mix gently to avoid mushing the jelly.
Step 5
Taste the salad after mixing. If it needs more seasoning, gradually add the remaining dressing, a little at a time, until it reaches your desired taste. This step-by-step seasoning ensures the flavors are well-balanced without being too salty.
Step 6
Adding cucumber gives this dish a dual character, like both cucumber salad and acorn jelly salad! The combination is incredibly satisfying, and the flavors complement each other wonderfully. It’s a delightful dish that offers two textures and tastes in one.
Step 7
I love the combination of chewy, soft, and slightly bitter acorn jelly with the crisp cucumber! While the store-bought acorn jelly was good, if you ever have the chance, try making this dish with acorn jelly made fresh by grandmothers at a traditional market. The rich, deep flavor is truly incomparable. It’s a healthy and delicious side dish!
