Savoury, sweet and nutty-this Asian dressing is ideal for light and healthy salads at any time in the week. Make the Asian Sesame-inspired vinaigrette to dress the various scraps of food you have lying in the kitchen whenever you’re in need of a quick and easy meal.
Background
Like many vinaigrettes or dressings, you’ll want to enhance the toppings and greens that are on your salad but don’t dominate it. This dressing is great for healthy and light meals (or lunches) that you’ll need greens or even a small salad to accompany your meal. It’s funny, but I’ve only had Asian salads as well as dressings in American eateries, such as California Pizza Kitchen or Corner Bakery, and not at Asian eateries. I’ve always believed that the ingredient in dressings Asian fashion was some kind of mix of sesame, soy sauce and ginger.
In the past, I’ve purchased Asian sesame dressings or ginger dressings from grocery stores (like Costco or other well recognized American supermarkets) However, I found that I’d often purchased too much or excessive preservatives present in them. When I made my own dressing, I was able to see how easy it was to make it my own and was amazed by how simple it was recreate at home.
What is it about this outfit that makes it Asian as well as Chinese?
To make this simple dressing recipe, there are the following ingredients to provide a pleasant and delicious Asian taste. I like adding rice vinegar, sesame oil and soy sauce. I also like lime, ginger.
There are a few ingredients you can substitute like rice vinegar to apple cider vinegar There are two ingredients I’d not recommend substituting to maintain this Asian style taste: sesame oil and freshly grated ginger.
What’s the vinaigrette dressing?
A fundamental vinaigrette is the an emulsification process that involves acid and oil (primarily vinegar). There are different vinegar types also, including White wine vinegar, or Rice Vinegar. Vinaigrettes are among the best healthy types of dressings since it has a low calorie count , depending on the ingredients are included within the dressing.
What’s so great about vinaigrettes similar to this dressing is that you can add flavor by adding other ingredients, like for instance, soy sauce or honey. Because vinegar and oil tend to differ from one another (something you do not want them to do with your salad) I prefer to include dijon mustard in my Asian vinaigrette for it acts as an an emulsifier. Another emulsifier that you can utilize to make this salad dressing is mayonnaise, though it could provide more calories.
How do you use and personalize the dressing for your salad
The easiest method to prepare the salad is put everything into the mason jar made of glass and close the lid shake the ingredients until they are well-mixed. When I’ve mixed the greens, and then sprinkle the toppings on the salad. I slowly pour the dressing over the salad. I then keep it in the refrigerator when there are leftovers.
I love to serve this dressing with green and red cabbage lettuce, and a variety of toppings such as crunchy wontons, pieces of chow mein Edamame, toasted sesame seeds sweet carrots in strips and even grilled chicken.
You are able to modify this recipe just like any other vinaigrette according to your individual tastes. For instance, you can include red pepper flakes or hot mustard to spice it up or add additional herbs like lemongrass to alter the taste.
How long will this keep fresh?
I enjoy mixing and serving in mason jars because it is easier to clean up and also goes straight into the container it was stored in. It can be kept with the lid closed for up to a week in the refrigerator. If you open it again , it could separate. make sure to shake it again to mix each ingredient.
If you’re looking for healthier salad recipes Check out the following salad recipe ideas the green goddess salad, green papaya salad, Vietnamese mango salad (goi xoai), and Chinese cucumber salad.
Authentic Asian Sesame Salad Dressing Recipe (Sesame Vinaigrette)
Ingredients
DRESSING
- 6 tbsp neutral cooking oil vegetable, canola as well as extra virgin olive oils
- 1/2 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 4 tsp honey
- 4 tsp lemon or lime juice
- Fresh ginger grated to 1/4 teaspoon
- 2 tsp sesame seeds optional
SALAD
- 1 head of green leaf lettuce cut into pieces
- 1 large, shredded carrot
- 1/2 c cubed grilled chicken
- 1/4 head of red cabbage that has been chopped
- 1/4 c edamame deshelled
- 1/4 C fried chow mein pieces
- 6-Green Beans chopped
- 1 stalk of green onions cut into slices
Instructions
- Put all the dressing ingredients in mason jars, cover it with a lid shake and shake again to thoroughly emulsify all ingredients. You can also pour everything in a bowl, and whisk it to mix everything.
- Make sure that you have all the salad ingredients ready and then use tongs for mixing the salad. Mix in the dressing, then mix again. Serve immediately.
- Place this dressing sealed in an airtight jar that has an lid and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week to keep it fresher.