| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 0 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 204 | 14g | 2g | 18g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 10g | 3g | 6g | 0.7g |
Hoisting a childhood of seaside dining, and being nestled within the lap of Irish grandmammas who preached love through food, my spirit finds solace in recipes that carve a legacy by intertwining generations. Each spoonful of the Pak Choy Salad with Sesame Dressing brims with my grandma’s warmth and the liveliness of New England’s spectacular coastal fare.
The Influence of Heritage
This honest and humble salad echoes the romance between Asian culinary wisdom and wholesome New England colors. The crisp bell pepper and delicate shredded carrots sing a delightful, emerald green tribute to the Emerald Isle – my heritage. The tang from the slivers of pickled cabbage is a tip of the hat to my American roots. Introduced to you by my family, this is a recipe passed down with ample love and plenty of stories.
A Symphony of Flavors
And oh, the clincher is that delightful sesame dressing. Each ingredient in the dressing, from the umami brought forth by the soy sauce, coupled with the sweet notes of honey and the zest of ginger along with the punch packed by garlic, leads to a symphony your taste buds will find irresistible. It’s like silk gliding over a breezy summer day, with the warm mango offering a tango of tropical freshness in between.
Healthy and Vibrant
But it’s not just a decadent explosion of flavors, it’s also packed with an army of health benefits. This salad is a vibrant power pack of antioxidants, dietary fiber, Vitamin C and E. A lunchtime serving of this joy, and I guarantee, you’ll thank me for it.
It’s the kind of salad that goes with anything.
I often float back to memories of Laura and I sharing it over our favorite slow-cooked barbecue ribs, while our baby boy eyes the colors with fascination. Yes, it’s also kid approved.
So, whether you plan to tuck it in by the side of a dazzling grilled salmon or let it mingle with a heartwarming chicken and dumpling soup, the Pak Choy Salad with Sesame Dressing stands strong. Ready to elevate your dish, and transport you to the corridors of my gastronomic journey, one mouthful at a time.
What You’ll Need
- 2 bunches of Pak Choy
- 1 cup shredded Carrot
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cup thinly sliced Red Cabbage
- 1 ripe Mango, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup chopped Cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped Mint
- 2 tablespoons toasted Sesame Seeds
- For Sesame Dressing:
- 1/4 cup Sesame Oil
- 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Rice Vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated Ginger
- 2 Garlic cloves, minced
Method
Step One
Begin by preparing all the ingredients. Wash the Pak choy thoroughly and slice it into bite-sized pieces. Shred the carrot, thinly slice the red bell pepper and red cabbage. Peel and dice the ripe mango. Finally, chop the cilantro and mint, and set everything aside on separate plates for later use.
Step Two
In a large salad bowl, combine the prepared Pak Choy, shredded carrot, sliced red bell pepper, sliced red cabbage, diced mango, chopped cilantro, and chopped mint. Mix thoroughly to combine all the ingredients well.
Step Three
Moving on to the sesame dressing, start by heating the sesame oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Minced the garlic and grate the fresh ginger. Add these to the heated sesame oil, let them simmer until they become fragrant.
Step Four
Next, add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey to the saucepan. Stir the mixture continuously to combine properly. Let it simmer over low heat for about five minutes, ensuring that all the flavors are fully incorporated.
Step Five
Once the sesame dressing is ready, remove it from the heat and let it cool. Drizzle it over the prepared Pak Choy salad. Toss the salad to ensure that the dressing is evenly distributed.
Step Six
Lastly, sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the salad. Toss it again lightly to finish up the salad. Enjoy your Pak Choy Salad with Sesame Dressing immediately, or keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving.
