Zesty Asian Salad Recipe

The zesty Asian salad recipe you need

With such a wide variety of seasonal foods available at our weekly Farmers Market, your meal planning options might be a little overwhelming. Try this zesty Asian salad from vegan chef and Valencia resident Princella Zeno. Not only is it packed with flavor and crunch, it’s deceptively healthy! She showed us how to prepare it in a recent cooking demo. Read on for the full recipe. 

Asian Salad with crispy fried onions and jalepeños 

in a homemade ginger-sesame dressing

🍽 2-4 servings  🕓 20- 40 minutes

Ingredients

For the salad:

• 9 oz organic shredded green and red cabbage

• 2–3 cups curly kale, finely chopped

• 1⁄2 cup shredded carrots

• 1⁄2 cup roasted cashews, chopped (optional)

• 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

• 1 bag crispy fried onions or crispy fried jalapeños (or both) — add to taste

• 1 cup white quinoa

• 2 cups water

For the dressing:
• 1⁄4 cup sesame oil

• 1⁄4 cup olive oil

• 2 Tbsp agave

• 3⁄4 cup coconut aminos

• 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger root

• 1 garlic clove, grated

• Pink Himalayan sea salt, to taste

Instructions

1. Start first by cooking the quinoa. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan, then add 1 cup of quinoa, reduce your stovetop heat to low, and cover and simmer for an additional 20 minutes. Once cooked, set the quinoa aside to cool, unless you plan to serve the salad warm.

2. To assemble the salad, combine the shredded cabbage, kale and carrots in a large bowl and mix well. Add your desired amount to the salad and toss to combine.

3. Now it’s time to make the dressing. Add all your ingredients into a blender or juicer and mix for 30 seconds until they’re well combined. 

4. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Add chopped cashews if desired, and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

5. Top your salad off with a zesty crunch by adding a generous amount of crispy fried onions

and/or jalapeños.

6. Share this delicious, healthy dish with someone you love!

Our certified Farmers Market is open every Sunday, rain or shine, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Come shop for fresh, locally sourced produce and artisanal foods. And look for more community events in the near future!