Asian-inspired salads became increasingly popular in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s as home cooks embraced fresh vegetables, bold flavors, and lighter meals. Combining crisp cabbage, crunchy vegetables, sweet mandarin oranges, and savory sesame dressing, these salads offered a delicious balance of textures and flavors that quickly made them a favorite at potlucks, family gatherings, and summer cookouts.

Today, Asian chopped salads remain popular because they’re colorful, easy to prepare, and incredibly versatile. This version is perfect for meal prep since hearty vegetables like cabbage and carrots hold up well in the refrigerator for several days without becoming soggy. Make a batch at the beginning of the week and enjoy it for lunch, dinner, or a quick grab-and-go meal whenever you need something fresh and satisfying.

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups chopped cabbage
  • 2 cups chopped red cabbage
  • 2 cups matchstick carrots
  • ½ cup sugar snap peas, chopped
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
  • ½ cup red pepper, chopped
  • ½ cup roasted peanuts
  • 5 oz can mandarin oranges, drained
  • 3 oz can Asian-Style Crunchy Noodles, divided
  • 1 TBS Sesame seeds or everything but the bagel seasoning
  • 1 cup Paul Newman Sesame Ginger Dressing
  • ½ package of Member’s Mark Chicken Breast Bites (optional)

Directions

  1. Chop all vegetables and cilantro. Add to a large mixing bowl.
  2. Add roasted peanuts, drained mandarin oranges, and ½ of the Asian-Style Crunchy Noodles. Mix well.
  3. Add dressing and sesame seeds.
  4. Add chicken breast bites (or rotisserie chicken). Mix well.
  5. Garnish with the remainder of the crunchy noodles as you serve to ensure they remain crisp.

Food Fairy Tips

  • Rotisserie chicken works beautifully in this recipe and is a great way to use leftovers and add more protein.
  • Add edamame for extra protein and fiber.
  • If serving at a gathering, reserve the crunchy noodles and peanuts until the last minute to maintain maximum crunch.
  • This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, making it ideal for lunches throughout the week.
 Search ingredients at FOOD CITY.

 

 

 

Dishing It Out is a place for Aneisa Rolen to share favorite recipes that require minimal preparation, limited culinary knowledge, yet provide maximum flavor, designed for the hesitant cook who loves good food but isn’t particularly a culinary enthusiast. The recipes provided will accompany the videos, making cooking accessible even to the most reluctant chefs.

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