Spicy & Sweet Garlic Scape Salad with Gochujang
Simple Korean Side Dish Recipe: Gochujang Marinated Garlic Scapes
Garlic scapes contain a beneficial compound called allicin, which is why it’s important to blanch them before cooking to remove any raw pungency. This recipe is incredibly simple: just blanch the garlic scapes and toss them in a delicious gochujang-based sauce. The vibrant green scapes coated in a bright red, savory-sweet sauce are visually appealing and undeniably appetizing. Let’s get started on this mouthwatering garlic scape recipe!
Ingredients (Measurements in Korean soup spoons)- 1 handful garlic scapes
For Blanching Garlic Scapes- 0.5 Tbsp coarse salt
Gochujang Marinade- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup or rice syrup
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp coarse salt
Gochujang Marinade- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup or rice syrup
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the garlic scapes thoroughly. Trim off any tough or dirty ends and cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 5cm (2 inches) in length.
Step 2
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add 0.5 Tbsp of coarse salt and then the prepared garlic scapes. Blanch them for a short period, between 40 seconds to 1 minute. It’s crucial not to overcook them! Immediately transfer the blanched scapes to ice-cold water to preserve their vibrant green color and prevent them from becoming mushy.
Step 3
Drain the blanched garlic scapes well. Ensuring they are as dry as possible is important for the sauce to adhere properly. You can gently squeeze out excess water or pat them dry with paper towels.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the flavorful marinade. In a mixing bowl, combine 2 Tbsp of gochujang and 2 Tbsp of sugar. Add 1 Tbsp of vinegar, 1 Tbsp of corn syrup, 1 Tbsp of gochugaru, 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds, and 0.5 Tbsp of minced garlic. Whisk everything together until well combined and smooth. This mixture will create a perfectly balanced sweet, savory, and slightly spicy sauce.
Step 5
Add the well-drained garlic scapes to the bowl with the gochujang marinade. Gently toss and mix them with your hands, ensuring each scape is evenly coated. Massage the scapes with the sauce until they are beautifully coated. This simple process transforms the crisp garlic scapes into a delightful and flavorful side dish, ready to be enjoyed!
