Fresh Mini Apple Salad with Sesame Soy Vinegar Dressing
Fresh Mini Apple Salad with Sesame Soy Vinegar Dressing
Vibrant Salad Featuring Mini Apples and a Homemade Sesame Soy Vinaigrette
Hello everyone! Today, we’re making a delightful and refreshing salad featuring the adorable ‘Alps Otome’ mini apples. These charming apples, discovered in Japan, are small enough to pop into your mouth and have a beautiful rosy hue reminiscent of a young girl’s cheeks, hence their name ‘Otome’ (meaning girl). Like their larger counterparts, mini apples are rich in Vitamin C and organic acids, great for boosting energy and fighting fatigue. Their pectin content also aids digestion. This salad combines crisp fresh vegetables with the sweet-tart flavor of mini apples, all brought together by a flavorful sesame, soy, and vinegar dressing. It’s perfect for a light meal, a side dish, or even for special occasions. Let’s get started on this easy-to-follow recipe!
Salad Ingredients- 2 cups Lettuce (torn into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 cup Cabbage (thinly shredded)
- 1/3 Red Onion (thinly sliced)
- Small amount of Carrot (julienned)
- 2 cups Leafy Greens (e.g., spinach, rocket) (cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 1 cup Fresh Blueberries (rinsed)
- 5 Mini Apples (Alps Otome variety) (rinsed, cores removed, quartered or cut into sixths)
- Small amount of Toasted Almonds (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare your fresh salad greens. Feel free to add other vegetables you have on hand, like cucumber or bell peppers, for extra flavor and texture! Tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Thinly shred the cabbage and red onion, and julienne the carrot. Cut the leafy greens into approximately 2-inch lengths.
Step 2
To ensure crispness, soak the prepared vegetables in a bowl of cold water with 2 tablespoons of vinegar for about 10 minutes. Afterward, rinse them thoroughly under running water 2-3 times. Gently toss the vegetables while rinsing for even cleaning. Crucially, drain them very well; excess water will make the salad soggy and dilute the flavors. Use a colander and let them sit to dry.
Step 3
Rinse the fresh blueberries and mini apples under cool water and pat them dry. For the mini apples, avoid removing the stem right away when washing, as water can seep into the core. Once washed, trim off the stems cleanly.
Step 4
Let’s make the delicious dressing! In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of sesame oil, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, and 3.5 tablespoons of soy sauce. Whisk everything together until the sugar is completely dissolved, creating a glossy, well-emulsified dressing.
Step 5
Arrange the prepared salad greens generously in a large, shallow bowl. For a beautiful presentation, artfully place the quartered mini apples around the edges of the salad.
Step 6
Now, add the finishing touches that elevate the salad’s appeal. Sprinkle the fresh blueberries liberally over the greens and apples. Add the toasted almonds for a delightful nutty crunch. (Note: The image for toasted almonds was omitted, but definitely include them for added flavor and texture!)
Step 7
Your vibrant and fresh mini apple salad is now complete! It looks as delicious as it tastes, a feast for the eyes.
Step 8
Finally, drizzle the homemade sesame soy vinegar dressing evenly over the salad. You can gently toss it all together just before serving to ensure every bite is coated with the flavorful dressing. Enjoy your creation!
