Kelp Recipe

VItality-Rich Kelp Recipe

Kelp is a type of algae (seaweed) that is brown in color and can be found in large quantities on the Pacific Coast of the United States. It is also widespread throughout the Pacific Ocean 

While seaweed might not instinctively sound like the most appetizing meal to many people, kelp is actually a commonly used ingredient in Asian cuisine. 

Kelp is not only highly beneficial in terms of health (more on this later), but it also makes a delicious addition to salads, soups, stir-fries, and more! 

Today, I’ll be taking you through the process of whipping up a tasty and nutritious kelp salad, including a comprehensive list of the ingredients you will need and a step-by-step guide to the salad-making process. 

Sweet and Sour Kelp Salad 

A kelp salad is one of the simplest, most timeless, and most nutritionally beneficial kelp-based dishes you can learn to make at home. 

This recipe is quick and easy to put together, and the burst of fresh, vibrant flavors will have you coming back for second helpings! 

Read on for a complete list of the ingredients you will need to make an authentic Chinese kelp salad, accompanied by an explanation of the roles and benefits of the key ingredients.

Ingredients 

  • Fresh kelp (200g) 

Kelp, which is the key ingredient in a kelp salad, has a salty, vaguely bacon-like taste. The flavor is very satisfying despite the fact that this type of seaweed is very low-calorie, at just 45 calories per 100 grams. 

Other benefits of kelp include its high antioxidant content, which may help to ward off certain infections or diseases in addition to boosting cardiovascular health. It is also high in iodine, which is known to improve thyroid function. 

  • Chili peppers (1-2) 

Chili peppers will give your kelp salad a kick of spice and flavor, disproving the idea that salad is a bland food choice. 

Traditionally, a kelp salad would be made with Thai chilis, otherwise known as Bird’s Eye chilis. However, this type of chili is very hot and won’t be to everyone’s taste. Therefore, you can use whatever type of chili best suits your palate and adjust the quantities to taste. 

  • Spring onions (2)

Spring onions (otherwise known as scallions or green onions) work beautifully in a kelp salad. 

Not only is this type of onion packed with essential vitamins, including vitamins C and A, magnesium, potassium, B2, and phosphorus, but they also lend a real freshness and semi-sweetness to the salad.

  • Garlic (3 cloves)

This is an ingredient you’ll definitely be familiar with. Garlic is full of vitamins and minerals and has a low-calorie content. Moreover, it is thought that garlic may have benefits for heart health and cancer prevention. 

The earthy yet assertive flavor of garlic pairs perfectly with the chili and kelp combination.

  • Vegetable oil (3 tbsp)
  • Black vinegar (1 tbsp)
  • Soy sauce (2 tbsp)
  • Sugar (1 tsp)
  • Salt (0.25 tsp)
  • Coriander (to garnish)

Utensils 

To prepare your kelp salad, you will need: 

  • A saucepan 
  • A sieve 
  • A chopping board 
  • A vegetable knife 
  • A tablespoon 
  • A teaspoon 
  • A bowl (for serving)

Method 

Step 1: Prepare the kelp

The first step to making a sweet and sour kelp salad is to prepare the key ingredient. 

Slice the kelp into long, thin strips using your knife and chopping board. This will form the base greenery for your salad. 

Once you have done this, put the kelp into a sieve or another draining utensil and run it under cold water to wash it. 

Step 2: Prepare your vegetables 

The next step in the salad-making process is to prepare the rest of your ingredients. 

This involves cutting up the spring onions, garlic, and chili peppers so that they are ready to add on top of the kelp at a later stage. 

Cut the pieces quite finely so that the flavors intermingle properly when you toss the salad. 

Step 3: Boil the kelp

Now that your kelp is cut and washed and your vegetables are prepared, it’s time to boil your kelp. 

Fill your saucepan with water and bring it to a boil before adding the kelp. 

Leave the kelp to boil for approximately 2 minutes before draining the water and transferring the kelp into your serving bowl. 

Step 4: Add the vegetables, soy sauce, and vinegar 

At this point, you can go ahead and add the chopped garlic, spring onion, and chili on top of the kelp in your bowl. 

At this point, you can also add the soy sauce and vinegar. 

Step 5: Heat up the oil 

In your empty saucepan, you can heat up your vegetable oil. Adding hot oil to your salad rather than cold oil will help to bring out the flavors in the salad and will give your dish a stir-fried feel. 

Heat the oil until it becomes noticeably hot, at which point it is ready to add to the salad. 

Step 6: Add the oil, salt, and sugar

Once the oil has been properly heated, go ahead and drizzle it over the top of your salad. 

This is also the best time to add the salt and sugar. 

Once your oil, sugar, and salt are added to your salad, mix well so that the flavors are infused throughout the dish. 

Step 7: Garnish with coriander (optional)

Not everybody likes the unique and potent flavor of coriander, but if you’re a fan of this herb, feel free to garnish your sweet and sour kelp salad with as much cilantro as you like!

Final Thoughts 

I hope that this sweet and sour kelp salad has inspired you to incorporate kelp into your home cooking!

You’ll be surprised at the difference that regular servings of kelp can make to your sense of wellbeing, and this salad is the perfect way to make nutritional self-care flavorful! 

This recipe should only take you 15 minutes to prepare from start to finish, including heating times. 

Remember to wash your kelp after cutting it and heat up the vegetable oil before adding it to the salad, and take care when heating oil on the stove.

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