Chinese Cabbage Salad is a fresh, vibrant dish that combines crunchy textures and bold flavors, making it a perfect side or light meal. This salad features thinly sliced Napa cabbage, which offers a sweeter and more tender texture than regular green cabbage, paired with colorful vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and scallions. The dressing is a zesty blend of soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and a hint of sweetness from honey or sugar, which beautifully coats the vegetables and brings out their natural flavors. Topped with toasted sesame seeds and crunchy almonds or peanuts, this Chinese Cabbage Salad is not only nutritious but also full of delightful contrasts in taste and texture, suitable for any occasion.
Ingredients:
- 1 head Napa cabbage, thinly sliced
- 2 medium carrots, julienned or shredded
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 4 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup toasted almonds or peanuts, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
For the dressing:
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
Directions:
- Prepare the vegetables:
- Rinse the Napa cabbage and slice it thinly. Place it in a large salad bowl. Add the julienned carrots, sliced red bell pepper, and sliced scallions to the bowl.
- Make the dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, vegetable oil, honey or sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger until well combined.
- Combine the salad and dressing:
- Pour the dressing over the prepared vegetables in the salad bowl. Toss well to ensure all the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Add crunch:
- Just before serving, sprinkle the chopped toasted almonds or peanuts and toasted sesame seeds over the salad for added crunch and flavor.
- Serve:
- Serve the salad immediately, or let it sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together more fully.
Chinese Cabbage Salad is a delightful dish that showcases the versatility of Napa cabbage and the harmonious blend of Asian flavors. It’s an excellent choice for a healthy and light lunch or as a complementary side dish that pairs well with grilled meats or fish, adding a refreshing element to any meal.
