This is the first year we have planted napa cabbage in our garden, so our favorite napa cabbage recipe came to light and wow is this tasty!! I truly forgot how much I enjoy it and I also remember why I don't make it all the time (a little bit more sugar than I would like). BUT it is so GOOD!
Chinese Chop Salad Recipe:
1 head napa cabbage chopped
8 scallions chopped
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds sautéed in butter
1/2 cup slivered almonds sautéed in butter
2 cups crunchy oriental (it this PC anymore?) noodles
Sauté almonds and sunflower seeds in a large pan over a medium high heat. Stir occasionally while you chop or make the dressing. Should be lightly toasted and fragrant when ready. Cool before adding to the salad.
Dressing:
1/2 cup sugar (I haven't played with this much as far as substitution since my husband loves this salad just the way it is.)
2 Tablespoons Tamari
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/3 rice vinegar
Blend all ingredients in a high powered blender until a smooth texture. Add all ingredients in a large salad bowl EXCEPT the oriental noodles, they will get soggy and gross if left in the sauce. Or remember my trick from my last post which is place dressing on the bottom, then nuts, cabbage, scallion, and then noodles and mix right before you serve. I love my big bowl with a lid for this trick....just shake and serve! This can be made a day ahead if you keep the noodles separate and add just before serving.
A Half Cup of Sugar Makes the Salad Go Down,
Bretta
www.bretta.vemma.com
Now I would consider this more of an outline than recipe but that's what I think makes it so super ;)) I love a good salad and I rarely use a official recipe (but I do have a really good one for my next post) but I use this basic outline frequently and it gets rave reviews every time (especially with the Cashew Nut Salad Dressing)!!! And I have a super secret ingredient that people rarely use but love when they get a hint in their salad! Yes, I'm going to see how many time I can use super as an adjective!!
Super Salad Outline:
2-3 types of chopped veggies (tomatoes, carrots, celery, peppers, etc.)
1/4 to 1/3 cup toasted nuts (love pecans walnuts, and pine nuts [BTW, does any one know what pine nuts a coming from China now?!?])
1/4 cup dried fruit (cherries, cran raisins, raisins, etc)
1/2 cup cheese (shredded variety or small mozzarella balls)
2-3 cups chopped greens and/or lettuce
Super Secret Ingredient!!:
1-2 Tablespoons chopped fresh stevia
NOW an insider trick for fresh, not soggy super salads every time (thanks Chef Juliet)....how you place your ingredient in the bowl makes a big difference!!
1) dressing
2) Veggies
3) Nuts, Dried Fruit & Cheese
4) Lettuce & Herbs......this way your dressing doesn't make everything soggy! An easy way to make ahead of time and have a fresh delicious salad. =)) I use a bowl with a lid to invert and toss a few minutes before serving.
Yummy, fresh stevia from the garden gives it a hint of sweet that is actually good for you!
I love, love my toaster oven!! Great for a quick nut toasting while chopping veggies.
Make it a Super Salad Day,
Bretta
www.bretta.vemma.com
