Crispy Cabbage Salad (Tonkatsu Restaurant Style)
Crispy Cabbage Salad (Tonkatsu Restaurant Style)
Special White Salad Dressing with Apple Mayonnaise Sauce
Recreate the refreshing and savory cabbage salad from your favorite tonkatsu restaurants right at home, made healthier with a special apple and mayonnaise dressing! Instead of commercial dressing concentrates, this recipe uses fresh apples, yogurt, and mayonnaise in a perfect ratio to create a delicious white salad sauce that everyone will love. It’s the perfect accompaniment to elevate your main dishes.
Salad Dressing Ingredients- 1/2 apple (about 150g)
- 1/6 onion (about 20g)
- 3 Tbsp apple-flavored yogurt
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 0.5 tsp fine salt
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 4+ Tbsp mayonnaise
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by making the dressing! First, peel and core half an apple, then cut it into manageable pieces. Prepare about 20g of onion to use alongside it. Next, get 3 tablespoons of apple-flavored yogurt ready. This dressing recipe is designed to have a smooth, pourable consistency. If you prefer a thicker texture, you can substitute the apple-flavored yogurt with plain, spoonable yogurt.
Step 2
Place the prepared apple and onion into a blender. Add the 3 tablespoons of apple-flavored yogurt, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of honey, 0.5 teaspoon of fine salt, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and at least 4 tablespoons of mayonnaise. Blend everything until it’s perfectly smooth, with no lumps remaining.
Step 3
Once the dressing is smoothly blended, taste it and adjust the seasonings according to your preference. If it needs more sweetness, add honey or sugar. For a tangier flavor, add more vinegar or lemon juice. To enhance the richness, stir in a bit more mayonnaise. Find that perfect balance that suits your taste!
Step 4
The finished dressing has a wonderfully creamy and smooth consistency, just perfect for drizzling over shredded cabbage. If you prefer a thicker sauce from the start, remember our tip: use plain, spoonable yogurt instead of the flavored yogurt and a touch of sugar instead of honey for a more dense dressing.
Step 5
To store the dressing, transfer it into a clean glass jar that has been sterilized with boiling water. Properly stored in the refrigerator, it will stay fresh for about a week. Ensuring good hygiene is key for safe storage!
Step 6
You can drink any leftover apple-flavored yogurt, or for convenience, freeze it in an ice cube tray. This way, you can easily portion out about 3 cubes next time you make the dressing, adding an extra boost of flavor.
Step 7
The dressing might separate slightly over time, but don’t worry! Simply give it a good shake before serving to restore its beautiful white color and delicious taste. It will look and taste just as good as when it was freshly made.
Step 8
This dressing offers a delightful balance of sweetness, tanginess, and savory richness. It’s an absolutely perfect match for the crisp texture of shredded cabbage!
Step 9
Now, let’s prepare the cabbage for the salad. Shred the cabbage as thinly as possible, or use a mandoline slicer specifically designed for cabbage for the best results.
Step 10
The secret to a great cabbage salad is how finely you shred the cabbage. Aim for a fluffy, delicate texture – the thinner the shreds, the better!
Step 11
Once shredded, soak the cabbage in cold water for about 5 minutes. Then, rinse it thoroughly and drain it very well to remove all excess water. For extra crispiness, add a few ice cubes to the cold water while soaking; this will make the cabbage wonderfully crunchy.
Step 12
While cabbage leaves can sometimes have trace pesticide residues on the outer leaves, the inner parts we consume are generally very clean. Soaking in water for about 5 minutes is sufficient to ensure it’s safe and ready to eat.
Step 13
Does this look familiar? This is exactly the white dressing you see at tonkatsu restaurants! You’ll be amazed at how similar the taste is. If you prefer an even closer match to the restaurant version, consider adding a little more mayonnaise than the recipe calls for. However, even as is, this dressing is incredibly delicious.
Step 14
With its creamy, tangy, and sweet profile, this apple mayonnaise dressing is a must-try, especially with the crisp cabbage. Make it during the early summer when cabbage is at its best for a truly delightful salad experience that will whet your appetite!
