What is it about that salad dressing they serve at our local Hibachi restaurants that makes my mouth water? It’s just delicious; it’s tangy, a little sweet, a little salty and I always want more.
My guess is it has a combination of sesame and ginger but I can never quite put my finger on it.
On a whim, I whipped up my own version, deciding to add orange for a little brightness.
I think it came out rather well.
Here is what I did:
The Salad
- 4 cups of washed lettuces of your liking. I had on on hand arugula and Chinese cabbage, but I would have added ice berg for that satisfying crunch.
Now on top of our lovely lettuces, arrange the following:
- 1/2 Shredded or finely sliced carrot
- 1/4 cup sliced mushroom (I used a small Portobella).
- 2 inch piece of cucumber, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sliced almonds, sprinkled over the salad
- 1 spring onion, chopped
- I did not add a tomato, but you might want to! It’s pretty and most people expect tomato.
The Dressing: Add the following ingredients into a blender or smoothie mixer:
- 1/4 medium sweet onion
- 1 large (or 2 small) tooth fresh garlic
- 1 small, chopped carrot or 1/2 a larger one. Cube this so it will blend easily and not get stuck in the blades.)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (I use low sodium but I prefer the saltier!)
- 1 tablesppon sesame oil (sesame oil is powerful so … careful!)
- 1/4 cup light olive oil
- 3-4 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 1 dash lemon juice (about 1 teaspoon)
- 3 full springs fresh cilantro (stems and all)
- 1 or 2 tablespoons Tahini / sesame paste (start with 1 and add if you like more)
- 1 tablespoon minced or chopped ginger.
Whir it all around until well-blended.
Taste!
What do you think? Do you want to add a little of this or a dash of that?
Simply adjust to taste until you feel satisfied! It’s subjective. We have no rules.
Tips!
- Try adding toasted Sesame or Flax seeds if you like. (Flax is most beneficial if ground.)
- Ginger root keeps well in the freezer. You can cut off a knob as needed. Peal and mince. I do like th convenience of the already minced ginger I can purchase at our supermarket.
- To make a full meal: Arrange cooked shrimp (blackend or steamed, as you wish) or chicken breast on top to make it a meal. Try it with a portion of seared Salmon!
- Save your left-over dressing in a jar in the fridge.
Try marinating some shrimp of chicken breast in the left over for a jazzed up flavor!.
