New Korean Salad: Chrysanthemum Greens, Chestnut, Persimmon

korean salad, persimmon salad
Fresh Chrysanthemum Greens, Roasted Chestnut
Semi-Dried Hachiya Persimmon, Fresh Fuyu Persimmon Wedges
Toasted Sesame Vinaigrette
Pomegranate Arils, Toasted Pine Nuts, Roasted Laver

Inspiration from two separate dining experiences sparked the idea for creation of this delightful salad. First, an outstanding meal at Jun Won in LA, a gem of a restaurant that features regional Korean cooking from the province of Chungcheongnam-do. I was captivated by their salad of chrysanthemum greens (sukgat) with chestnut jelly. A week later we attended an event highlighting the “Tastes of the Korean Forest” including sanchae (wild vegetables grown in the mountains), oak mushroom, chestnut, and persimmon.

new korean cooking, korean salad

Jun Won
3100 W. 8th St.
Los Angeles, CA
(213) 383-8855

persimmon salad

Chrysanthemum greens are unlike any other salad greens ~ feathery and flowery and herbal but not overpowering. The texture and taste of the greens pair wonderfully with fruit and nuts.

New Korean Salad Recipe

Chrysanthemum Greens, Roasted Chestnut,

Fresh chrysanthemum leaves are tossed with rough chopped roasted chestnuts and toasted sesame vinaigrette.

Toasted Sesame Vinaigrette

  • Toasted Sesame Oil
  • Seasoned Rice Wine Vinegar
  • Toasted Sesame Seeds
  • Salt
  • White Pepper

composed salad

Two types of persimmon are used in this salad. First, a ripe fuyu persimmon is sliced into wedges like a tomato. Then semi-dried hachiya persimmon is diced and added to the salad. Persimmons taste like a delicately spiced honey. The fuyu adds crunch while dried hachiya adds sweet jelly-like notes.

korean salad

The salad is garnished with toasted pine nuts, pomegranate arils, and roasted laver (seaweed). Seaweed adds an unexpected dimension to the salad with its crispy crunch and hints of the sea. This idea to add laver to the salad came from Jun Won, where the peninsula’s regional cooking is centered on fish and sea vegetables.

Chrysanthemum Greens, Roasted Chestnut, Pomegranate
A Chrysanthemum Bite

Chrysanthemum Greens, Roasted Chestnut, Pomegranate
Fresh, Bright, Seasonal, Exotic

My Sweet Little Wilson
Boston Terrier Image

Many of you have read on my Facebook page that my little buddy, Wilson, has passed away. I took this photo of him last Saturday afternoon in between working on the salad. He had been struggling with breathing issues. He romped to the Rainbow Bridge on Monday night, December 10th.

Thank you everyone for the condolences on the loss of my sweet doggie.You have all helped ease a bit of the pain and sorrow and hole in my heart. And oh how I miss him terribly. Wilson was a wonderful companion. I adopted him in 2006 from Boston Buddies, Southern California Boston Terrier Rescue. We fell in love with him from day one.

And thank you to all who have befriended him over the years, whether in person or virtually. Your scratches behind the ears, your gentle pats on the head, your kind heartfelt comments have meant the world to us…

Wilson
WILSON (2003 – 2012)

I had to include this photograph of Wilson with the New Korean Salad. Sadly, it is the very last photo I took of him, and although it is not the best quality, it is one of my favorites. You see, Wilson was not very interested in my creations although one would think that the aromas of all the various foods would have him running over to the hearth where I usually shoot my dishes. But no, that was not him. Last Saturday, I was sitting on the floor taking pictures of the salad when over walks Wilson to see what I was doing. His cute little mug ended up in the photo by accident. He took a couple sniffs of the salad, which was also uncharacteristic, almost like he wanted to try it, but then he moved on. Later that night I made him his favorite dinner of ground beef and rice.

Rest In Peace Sweet Little Guy…

 

6 thoughts on “New Korean Salad: Chrysanthemum Greens, Chestnut, Persimmon”

  1. Thank you for sharing your family story with Wilson: having lost more than one beloved canine in my lifetime, I know the pain and emptiness . . . if he was troubled, he is no more . . .and time passing will remind you of the joys of the years with him and you will forget the pain . . .

  2. LL, I’m so very sorry about your dear Wilson, what a sweet face. Take comfort that you gave him and extraordinary life filled with lots of love and good care, what could be better than that!

    Big hug out to you,
    Marie

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