Cold Maralan Greens Salad

Name: Cold Maralan Greens Salad
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 300 grams maralan greens (or chrysanthemum greens); 3 stalks scallions; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 garlic cloves; 2 tablespoons light soy sauce; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

A light, refreshing Chinese wild herb salad featuring tender maralan greens dressed in a savory sesame dressing. This cold appetizer showcases the delicate, slightly bitter flavor of the edible wild greens.

20 min

Easy

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Story

Maralan is a wild herb foraged in rural China, prized for its tender leaves and subtle earthy bitterness. This dish is traditionally served cold as an appetizer, perfect for balancing richer main courses.

Ingredients

maralan greens (or chrysanthemum greens) 300 grams

scallions 3 stalks

vegetable oil 2 tablespoons

salt 1 teaspoon

garlic cloves 2

light soy sauce 2 tablespoons

sesame oil 1 teaspoon

sesame seeds 1 tablespoon

Instructions

Prepare the greens

Pick through the maralan greens, removing any tough stems or wilted leaves. Rinse thoroughly under cold running water to remove dirt and debris.

Blanch the greens

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a pinch of salt and the vegetable oil to the water. Submerge the greens briefly for 30-45 seconds until they turn bright green and slightly softened. Do not overcook.

Cool and squeeze

Immediately transfer the blanched greens to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, grab small handfuls and gently squeeze out excess water. Roughly chop into 2-inch pieces.

Make the dressing

Finely mince the garlic. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, and sesame seeds until combined.

Combine and serve

Place the squeezed greens in a mixing bowl. Add the sliced scallions and pour the dressing over top. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Serve immediately at room temperature or chilled.