Tonburi Salad with Sesame Dressing

A light and flavourful dish that highlights the unique texture and taste of tonburi kochia scoparia seeds!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup tonburi seeds
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon honey or sugar
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
• 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 small carrot, julienned
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: cooked prawns or crab meat for garnish

Method:

1. Rinse the tonburi seeds under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve to remove any debris.
2. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
3. Add the rinsed tonburi seeds to the boiling water and cook for about 5-7 minutes until they become translucent and tender.
4. Drain the tonburi seeds and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain well and set aside.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey or sugar, grated ginger, and toasted sesame seeds until well combined. Adjust seasoning according to taste.
6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked tonburi seeds, sliced spring onions, cucumber, and julienned carrot.
7. Pour the sesame dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Transfer the tonburi salad to serving plates or a serving bowl.
10. Garnish with cooked prawns or crab meat if desired.
11. Serve immediately as a delicious appetizer or side dish.