Banchan (Various)

Banchan is a delightful assortment of gluten-free Korean side dishes that offer a variety of flavors and textures. This recipe features seasoned cucumber, sautéed spinach, and spicy radish, creating a colorful and nutritious accompaniment to any meal.

Ingredients

• Cucumber - 1 medium (about 250g)
• Sea salt - 1 teaspoon
• Sesame oil - 1 tablespoon
• Garlic - 1 clove, minced
• Rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon
• Sugar - 1 teaspoon
• Spinach - 150g
• Sesame seeds - 1 tablespoon
• Daikon radish - 100g
• Gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) - 1 teaspoon
• Green onion - 1, finely chopped

Steps

1. Slice the cucumber into thin rounds and sprinkle with sea salt. Let it sit for 10 minutes to release excess water.
2. In a bowl, combine sesame oil, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and sugar. Mix well and set aside.
3. After 10 minutes, rinse the salted cucumber under cold water and drain. Toss the cucumber with the dressing mixture.
4. For the sautéed spinach, bring a pot of water to a boil. Blanch the spinach for 1 minute, then drain and rinse under cold water. Squeeze out excess water and chop.
5. In a pan over medium heat, add a drizzle of sesame oil and sauté the chopped spinach for about 2 minutes. Add sesame seeds and stir to combine.
6. For the spicy radish, slice the daikon radish into thin matchsticks. In a bowl, mix with gochugaru and chopped green onion. Let it marinate for 5 minutes.
7. Serve the seasoned cucumber, sautéed spinach, and spicy radish together as a colorful banchan spread.

Nutrition

• Calories: 120
• Protein: 4 g
• Carbs: 15 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Water: 0.3 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in vitamins and antioxidants from fresh vegetables.
• Low in calories, making it a great option for light snacking.

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