Sweet & Tangy Gochujang Salad
Classic Gochujang Salad Recipe from Shin Ae-ra’s Cooking Essentials
Gochujang sauce, with its delightful balance of sweet and sour, is a fantastic appetite stimulant. Think of it as a Korean-style salad! We’re making Chef Choi Kyung-sook’s Gochujang Salad from ‘Shin Ae-ra’s Cooking Essentials’. Shall we get started?
Salad Ingredients- 4 handfuls of lettuce (washed thoroughly and torn into bite-sized pieces)
- 1/4 onion (thinly sliced)
- A small amount of red bell pepper (finely chopped)
- A small amount of yellow bell pepper (finely chopped)
- 1/4 cucumber (thinly sliced into rounds)
- 1 chili pepper (such as Cheongyang or red chili, sliced diagonally for a spicy kick)
Gochujang Dressing- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds (freshly ground for best aroma)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds (freshly ground for best aroma)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare your fresh vegetables. If you’ve received home-grown lettuce, even better! Wash the lettuce thoroughly and tear it into bite-sized pieces by hand. Feel free to use any leftover vegetables from your fridge. Adding perilla leaves (kkaennip) or crown daisy (ssukgat) will enhance the aroma.
Step 2
Next, prepare the remaining vegetables. Finely chop any leftover bell pepper scraps. Slice the onion thinly into julienne strips. Slice the cucumber into thin rounds, and diagonally slice the chili pepper to add a bit of spice. (Adjust the amount of chili pepper or omit it if you prefer less heat).
Step 3
For the best aroma in your salad dressing, grind the sesame seeds just before you’re about to make the salad. Freshly ground sesame seeds offer a wonderfully nutty fragrance.
Step 4
Combine all the prepared vegetables in a large bowl. The colorful mix of vegetables will not only look appealing but also provide a wealth of nutrients.
Step 5
First, add 1 Tbsp of gochugaru, 1 Tbsp of freshly ground sesame seeds, and 1 Tbsp of sesame oil to the vegetables. Gently toss them together. This step helps maintain the crispness of the vegetables while adding flavor. Finally, add 1.5 Tbsp of gochujang and toss lightly. Adding the gochujang just before serving is key to preventing the vegetables from wilting and ensuring they stay fresh and delicious.
Step 6
Gently toss everything together until the vegetables are well-coated with the dressing. Your delicious Gochujang Salad is almost ready!
Step 7
Voila! Your Gochujang Salad is complete. Enjoy this incredibly appetizing salad with its perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors!
