It’s Spring and all I want to eat are salads. Last week it was Vietnamese Salad, before that was Curried Quinoa Salad and today was Asian Salad. Thankfully we both love salad and John can eat a ton of it. What I really like about these salads are that if I don’t put dressing on them until we’re ready to eat, they keep for three or four days. We will also use the salad mix for sandwich toppings too so we never toss any away because it’s gone past day four.
I’ve always loved salad but I had one child that thought vegetables were invented by the devil and if he was careful and didn’t eat any he’d be fine. Thankfully he’s all grown up and now eats most everything. I expected him to have children who would be as picky as he was but no deal. His children eat anything and they would love this salad.
- ½ wombok very finely sliced
- 1 small red capsicum finely sliced
- 1 small green capsicum finely sliced
- 3 whole stalks celery findly sliced (including leaves)
- 1 large carrot shredded using julienne shredder (or a knife)
- 1 cup finely chopped shallots
- 1 bunch finely chopped coriander (save a few leaves for garnish)
- ½ cup finely chopped flat leaf parsley
- 1 cup toasted pine nuts or peanuts (save a few for garnish)
- ¾ cup caster (superfine) sugar
- ½ cup white balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- ½ cup olive oil
- 4 tsp sesame oil
- 1 large red chili finely chopped
- 2 large cloves garlic crushed
- 1½ tsp fresh ginger grated
- This salad must be finely sliced, particularly the white portion of the wombok - I used a mandolin or v-slicer
- Julienne carrot
- Fold in chopped coriander (cilantro) and parsley
- Toss to combine
- Pile into a large salad bowl and add toasted pine nuts or peanuts on top
- Garnish with whole coriander leaves
- Combine all ingredients except ginger and garlic in a container with a lid and shake vigorously
- Add ginger and garlic and stir to combine
- Keeps well in the refrigerator.
Annabel Candy, Get In the Hot Spot says
Hi Maureen,
It is thrilling when the weather perks up and we can get back into salads big time. I LOVE Asian salads but haven’t done the fresh ginger thing yet. I think this is the last time I read about it in a dressing and don’t actually do it though:)
Adding you to my RSS reader now!
Maureen says
Thanks Anabel! You’re my local hero 🙂
Nandita Debnath says
Loved your blog… it looks so tasty, i am going to prepare this tomorrow 🙂
Maureen says
Hi Nandita, lovely to meet you. Thanks so much for coming by and I hope you like the salad!
Erin @ she cooks, she gardens says
Mmmmm yum, this sounds excellent. I love the combination of fresh flavours and textures.
Asmita says
The salad looks so inviting! Going to try this out soon.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Love this salad! We eat this so much when the weather hits unbearable. it’s so cooling and delicious! 😀
kristy @ the wicked noodle says
What a stunning salad! Making for lunch today for sure.
Maureen says
I hope you liked the salad, Kristy!
Ann@Anncoo Journal says
Sooo pretty! I love this beautiful salad, so good to have it anytime of the day 🙂
Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb says
Maurren thats a good idea! I should start eating more salads again. My husband isnt that happy about salads, so I usually only make them if he isnt coming home for dinner or if I make some other side that he loves.
The dressing is new to me and I like experimenting in my kitchen with new recipes like that.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Yum, this is one of my most favorite salads!
Terra says
After this long vacation, and lots of delicious food…..i need some healthy food! This salad looks gorgeous my friend:-) Hugs, Terra
Gina says
I’m thinking wombok is what we call napa cabbage. I just love crisp salads like this, we eat lots of them all year here. I always get so confused with my foodie friends on the other side of the world and the season differences, we are barely starting fall here. I like your dressing, will have to try soon.
-Gina-
Sanjeeta KK says
What a refreshing and healthy platter that look…would love this anytime!
Ilan says
I really love Asian salads and this one looks amazing! You’re lucky that it’s spring in Australia, over here it’s just starting to get cold.
Maureen says
I love salads in the summer. I enjoy them anytime but in the summer I crave them.
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
How refreshing and delicious! I can eat this as main dish and will eat a lot of it. The best part is that I will still feel good about it and not too stuffed. I love that kind of salad. Your dressing sounds good, too. By the way, new recipe plugin looks nice with author/cuisine info etc. 🙂
yummychunklet says
That looks as if it could double as a nice side salad as well. Yum!
Kitchen Belleicious says
now that is a salad. Crunchy, sweet, tangy and the dressing is perfection
rebecca says
lovely salads and salads are so good all year
kitchenriffs says
Great looking salad! Provincial little me didn’t know that wombok = Chinese cabbage (I love learning new things!). Great idea mixing it, then adding the dressing at the last minute. Good stuff – thanks.
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
I’m not a big salad eater but I think I could enjoy this one.
Very glad to hear your son’s kids eat anything. I was the world’s worst eater growing up and was thinking karma would come back to get me.
Amanda says
Oh this looks so lovely and fresh Maureen. I’m looking forward to the warmer weather and more salads. I’m under the impression if I each more salads, I get to have extra dessert – and I’m not interested in hearing otherwise! 😉
Ilan says
I’m a big fan of Asian salads! You’re really lucky it’s warm where you are.. just starting to get cold around these parts.
Maureen says
They can make a full meal for me. I just love salads like this during the summer.
Hotly Spiced says
That is a fantastic looking Asian salad. I just love all those ingredients in the dressing – what great flavour that salad would have. Whenever my children are being difficult I secretly pray they’ll produce a child just like themselves so to think your picky eater got off scot-free by producing children who eat everything just doesn’t sound like justice to me. What happened to, ‘What goes around, comes around’? xx
Lizzy (Good Things) says
A gorgeous recipe and perfect for this beautiful Spring weather, Maureen.
Barb Bamber Just a Smidgen says
Its fall hear and I still crave salads, I think it’s the texture and most likely also because they’re filling and low in calories:). I love the crunch factor in these recipes and would love to try one or two this week!
Maureen says
I’ve been enjoying seeing northern hemisphere salads all during your summer and have been SO looking forward to warmer weather.
Minnie(@thelady8home) says
Spring makes me want to eat greens too. So sweet, the devil story, hahaha! Such a gorgeous looking salad there Maureen.
Roberta says
What a pretty salad with a fantastic dressing.
Eileen says
Looks delicious Maureen. No spring salads here though unless they are made with squash, apples, and pumpkins – lol!
Ashley@BakerbyNature says
It’s just treading into fall here, but fresh gorgeous salads like this always make me crave spring!! Gorgeous!
Choc Chip Uru says
Mmmm spring does make me feel like salad, bookmarked your exotic recipe! 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
I am loving having so many prepared salads available in England’s fancier supermarkets (and for that matter even the non-fancy ones). This Asian one looks incredible!
Claire - Simply Sweet Justice says
How delicious! This looks like a great salad to make ahead for work lunches. 🙂
Maureen says
You’re so right. I keep a salad (undressed) in the fridge for 3-4 days covered with a damp paper towel and a cover or wrap. I add the nuts and dressing just before serving.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
“It’s Spring” I had to do a double take on the date and then realized we are on different continents 🙂 My brother and sister-in-law just came back from a two week trip to Sydney and New Zealand. They said it was beautiful. I love an Asian salad and this dressing sounds amazing. Have a great week Maureen!~
Jill Colonna says
Maureen, this is a seriously sexy looking salad. You mean what you say! Hubby isn’t a salad fan but things should change around here! Sensational photos.
Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says
Oh I want to make this right now!! Looks so delicious!
Katerina says
Maureen your salad looks perfect! Here is Fall but the temperatures are still high so this salad would be perfect! I was a picky eater myself when I was a kid and my mom had a very hard time with me. She also thought that my children would be picky. I have a son who eats almost everything, even food I don’t eat until now! Apples don’t always fall under the same tree!
ChopinandMysaucepan says
Dear Maureen,
I love these Asian salads because the flavours are so vibrant, fresh and appetizing with the tangy taste, a perfect start to a meal.
Sincere apologies again as we really should have emailed a thank you note for the ice-cream machine rather than saying it on Twitter!
Norma Chang says
Great looking salad. I frequently toss in some shredded leftover chicken or shredded roast beef or deli ham and now I have a no-cook meal.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Oh my. This salad definitely makes me miss summer even more. Enjoy!
Kristi @ My San Francisco Kitchen says
Hi there, I’m new around here! I am sooo glad I found your blog, your photos are gorgeous and you have a really wonderful recipe collection! I am looking forward to following you. This Asian salad looks so fresh and good, my husband will love this!
mjskit says
“vegetables were invented by the devil” – that is hilarious! From the mouths of babes. 🙂 This looks like a delicious salad! It’s going into fall here, but I since I eat salad years round I love see new salads like this anytime! YUM!
Adrian (What the Heck is Filipino Food) says
I’ve made this several times in summer – how great is it?! Although, I have to admit that I do go overboard with the chilli LOL
SallyBR says
I make a version that is simpler, too simple, I guess. You took yours to a much higher and better level, so I am pinning this baby for future reference
love everything about it!
Laz says
I think the problem is that many cooks treat salads and veggie dishes like bullshit throwaways. But salads can be amazing if time and care are taken with them. I like the toasted nuts in the salad and the balance provided to the dressing by the chili and ginger.
You’re a classy lady Maureen, don’t be like me…=)
Maureen says
Laz, my new BFF. I’ve never used that four letter word on my blog but just once I’d love to let fly 🙂 LOL Thanks so much for coming by.
The Café Sucré Farine says
I love this type of salad and could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It looks so fresh and vibrant. I little fresh basil and mint would be delicious also!
Maureen says
Yeah, my Vietnamese salad has heaps of mint and my Asian salad has heaps of cilantro/coriander 🙂
Simone says
Well I sure wish I had salads like this growing up! We only ever had the iceberg lettuce, egg, tomato, dressing type of salad which is still very common here. I looooove asian salads! Soo much flavor and they are so versatile!
Maureen says
That’s what we had when I was growing up too but salads like this qualify as lunch or light meal for me. Lovely to see you, Simone. I could gaze at your blog for hours 🙂
Erica says
I love this salad! What a delicious combination of flavors and textures!
Frugal Foodie in WV says
I love salad! Your recipe and photos look delicious!
Maureen says
Thanks you so much! The salad is quite frugal too. 🙂
The Squishy Monster says
As an Asian person, I totally approve of this =D LOL, I kid–but seriously, these flavors look out of this world together —fabulous looking salad, my friend =D
Maureen says
I’m not an Asian person but I have Asian people grandchildren so I think that qualifies me. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Aldy @ Al Dente Gourmet says
Maureen, that salad looks so refreshing and delightful! Loving that dressing too 🙂
Hugs <3
Maureen says
Thanks, the dressing is really good 🙂
master chef says
Simple and delicious recipes.
Maureen says
Thanks, Chef!
Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen says
We’re heading into Autumn here, Maureen, but I’d still happily demolish a plate of this fabulous salad. (I did have a little moment where I read ‘wombat’ for ‘wombok’, but I’ve gotten over the shock of it)
Maureen says
I know, Hester, and as all you northern hemisperians were eating summer salads I was really craving them. Once it got warm that’s all I want to eat.
Lose Weight Fast says
Very nice looking salad. I always purchase a version of an Asian salad, well I guess I haven’t been. Your salad looks way better!
Catherine says
Dear Maureen, That is a beautiful looking salad. I love the ginger in the dressings. Blessings dear and happy spring. Catherine xo
Maureen says
Thanks Catherine, so nice of you to stop by.
Parsley Sage says
YUMMY! And my mom would die if she saw me write that. I’ve only been eating vegetables for about two years 😉
foodfashionandflow says
This looks so good. I am hungry right now. I might just have to make this for lunch or go out and grab one.
Katherines Corner says
It’s lunch time here, this would be a lovely treat. xo
Charles says
Spring! Ha, lucky thing! All we get is wonderful autumn rain and cold nights here! Still though, after a few carb-rich days we actually had a salad tonight, with figs – t’was great. I love the look of your salad, and I’m off to look up a wombok now, because I’ve never heard of it at all, haha 😀
Maureen says
chinese cabbage isn’t it?
Marina@Picnic at Marina says
Aww, Maureen! I want this salad now, even though it’s a bit late for any meal… 🙂
Lisa says
I love Asian salads and this one does not disappoint! It looks so fresh and lovely and the dressing sounds fantastic. I think I might make it for lunch today 🙂
Maureen says
what’s your favorite salad?
Rhonda says
That looks so good, and it is definitely still salad weather here in AZ.
Maureen says
I could live on salads in the summer
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
I’ve paid $9 for an asian salad at the cafe in my work building, which I wasn’t too thrilled about, but this here is 100000x better, and so much cheaper. I think I’ll have to make this, bring it to work and show the cafe that this a salad worth charging $9!
Maureen says
LOL you’re so cute! You could get 10 salads for $9 🙂
Iron Chef Shellie says
OMG i Love a vietnamese salad! Can’t wait to try this 😀
peachkins says
I am a salad person myself and I could have this every day!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
Even though the weather is cool and it is fall in New Hampshire, I could eat salad everyday. Yours looks and sounds delicious.
FiSh says
asian salad suits the flavour of my country 🙂 but i prefer garden salad better
Latest: Little Tiramisu Dream
Jean (Lemons and Anchovies) says
My kind of salad. I can eat this year-round. You’re so right about this keeping for days. I love dishes like that because it saves so much time in the kitchen. The combination of flavors in your dressing sound so good!
lizzie - strayed from the table says
Thank goodness we are finally getting some heat, bring on summer I say. The salad looks delicious, though I have never heard of white balsamic vinegar before.
Maureen says
I bought some at Be Fresh on Nicklin Road and some from Iris over at How to Cook and some from Jeffers Market in Maroochydore. You can also get it at Coles and probably Woolies.
SarahKate (Mi Casa-Su Casa) says
This is PERFECT! Yesterday it was 33 in Sydney and today it’s supposed to get up to 29! Welcome to the warm weather (at last!) I’m loving dinner on the balcony with cold glasses of white wine. This salad looks ideal for the weather.
Terra says
I have been craving salads lately, but I get bored with normal, everyday lettuce salads. This would be a fun, healthy change-up from the everyday lettuce salads:-) It looks gorgeous! Hugs, Terra
Claire says
Asian style salads are a real favourite of mine. Every time I eat one I think to myself now why don’t I make these more often! Silly I know. But thanks for the reminder, I just love the clear cut and sharp-sweet flavours 🙂
Denise says
Wow, that looks so great! We eat salad year round. I love all the great flavors in this one and the dressing looks delightful! I think I will put this on our weekend menu– between the baked porkchops and apples and shepherd pie 🙂
Jocelyn Wilhelm says
I think I’d like to make this any season of the year! As a matter of fact, I have all the ingredients so I can make this right now. And I think I’m going to go ahead and make it right now! Looks super yummy!
Jocelyn
Aurica says
I didn’t have pleasure to taste this salad recipe, but the way she look, I can say it’s a very delicious, natural and healthy salad, so gotta to try it
Hypnotherapy Adelaide says
Beautiful asian salad. I have been looking for a really fresh salad to have. Thank you 🙂
Anna says
This sounds so amazing! I have been looking for a new dressing to mix up my weekly salads! Something spicy would be awesome!