Fast or Fancy

Gobo Salad (Burdock Salad)

Prep: 10m

Cook: 10m

Servings: 4

A unique and tasty, nutty salad that is one of my favorite Japanese sides. It complements richer, more savory dishes nicely.

—Ingredients—

Fast

  • 150g parsnip, julienned
  • 50g carrot, julienned
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
  • 3 tbsp mayonnaise
  • Paprika or cayenne (optional)

Fancy

  • 150g burdock root, peeled & julienned
  • 50g carrot, peeled & julienned
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1/2tsp soy sauce
  • 1tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
  • 3 tbsp Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise
  • Togarashi (optional)

—Method—

Fast Method
  1. HAVEN’T TRIED THE PARSNIP SUB YET. ALSO WANT TO TRY POTATOES.
  2. Grind the sesame seeds. If using a spice grinder, careful not to overgrind. Add the sesame seeds.
  3. Boil a couple cups of water. Add the carrot and cook 1 minute. Remove the carrot and drain.
  4. Add the parsnip and cook for 2 minutes. Remove the parsnip and drain.
  5. While still hot, add the sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
  6. Once cool, add the mayonnaise and chill until ready to serve.
  7. Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika, or for some kick, cayenne.
Fancy Method
  1. Toast the sesame seeds: in a medium-hot dry pan, toast until seeds start to brown, stirring continuously (~1m). Spread on a plate to cool. (Optional.)
  2. Grind the sesame seeds in a mortar and pestle.
  3. Boil some water. Add the carrot and cook 1 minute. Remove the carrot and drain.
  4. Add the burdock root and cook for 2 minutes. Remove the burdock and drain.
  5. While the burdock is still hot, add the sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
  6. Allow to cool and add the Kewpie mayonnaise. Chill until ready to serve.
  7. Garnish with a sprinkle of togarashi. (Optional.)

—Notes—

  • The majority of the prep time is spent cutting the burdock and carrot into matchstick-sized (julienned) pieces, which is much easier with a mandolin. Without a mandolin, double the prep time.
  • Toasting the sesame seasons (even if commercially roasted) deepens the flavor and is generally worth the few minutes.
  • The togarashi is optional but does really add to the dish, if you can find it.

—Serving Ideas—

Try increasing soy sauce next time.

panda

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