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Winter Salad with Asian Vinaigrette
I love the colors of this salad, and that it doesn’t taste like the tossed salad I make every other night. The toasted sesame oil imparts intense fragrance and robust flavor. If you want a kick because the heat in the house is turned way down and it’s snowing outside, add a pinch of cayenne pepper!
Modern medical research has shown that eating sesame oil helps lower cholesterol and is beneficial for the heart and kidneys. Research in Japan has shown that a diet rich in sesamin, found in sesame oil, reduces the risk of hypertension and cardiac disease.
Unrefined sesame oil also contains an antioxidant called sesamol, which protects the oil from becoming rancid. How is toasted sesame oil made? Typically by roasting the seeds and then cold-pressing. Voila!
Serves 6
| 2 cups broccoli florets | ¼ cup soy sauce |
| 2 cups green beans, 3" length | ¼ cup rice vinegar |
| 2 cups sliced shiitake mushrooms | 3 tb chopped fresh cilantro |
| 1 cup sliced red cabbage | ¼ cup toasted sesame oil |
| 2 cups shredded chard or kale | 1½ tb minced ginger root or 1 tsp dry |
| 1 cup thinly sliced red onion | 1½ tb minced garlic or 1 tsp powder |
| 2 cups baby spinach |
In a large skillet, bring one cup of water to a boil. Add all veggies, except onion and spinach. Lower heat, cover pot, and steam for 3-4 minutes, just enough so veggies aren’t completely crunchy.
Drain and save steaming water to drink. It’s very alkalizing! Let vegetables cool slightly. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, cilantro, toasted sesame oil, ginger, garlic, red onion and baby spinach. Spoon in the still-warm veggies and toss well so everything is nicely coated. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Add that pinch of cayenne if you like spice.
* Of course, I use organic veggies, and I also use organic frozen vegetables when I’m feeling rushed or a little lazy. I love, for instance, the Woodstock frozen sliced organic shiitakes and broccoli florets, which I always have in my freezer. One just never knows when one might need them!