Description
This vibrant Asian Chopped Salad is a refreshing, crunchy blend of colorful cabbages, bell pepper, carrots, sugar snap peas, and green onions, tossed with a zesty homemade sesame dressing. Enhanced with toasted cashews, crispy chow mein noodles, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro, this salad offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors perfect for a light lunch or side dish.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups white cabbage, thinly sliced
- 3 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 1 cup sugar snap peas, chopped
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1 tbsp cilantro, chopped
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup cashews, toasted and chopped
- 1/2 cup crispy chow mein noodles or wontons
Dressing Ingredients
- 4 tbsp sesame oil
- 4 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Toast Cashews: Heat a skillet over medium heat and roast the cashews until golden brown, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove from heat and let them cool completely before chopping into small pieces.
- Prepare Vegetables: Wash all vegetables thoroughly. Thinly slice the white and red cabbages, julienne the carrot, cut the red bell pepper into thin strips, chop the sugar snap peas, and slice the green onions. Place all prepared vegetables into a large mixing bowl.
- Assemble Salad: Sprinkle the chopped cilantro, sesame seeds, crispy chow mein noodles (or wontons), and toasted chopped cashews over the mixed vegetables in the bowl.
- Make Dressing: In a jar or bowl, combine sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, lime juice, grated fresh ginger, salt, and black pepper. Secure the lid and shake well or whisk until the ingredients are well emulsified.
- Toss and Serve: Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired.
Notes
- To toast cashews, watch closely to avoid burning, as nuts can go from toasted to burnt quickly.
- For a vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Chow mein noodles add a nice crunch but can be replaced with crispy wontons or fried noodles.
- The dressing can be prepared ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For added protein, consider adding grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp.
