How to Make a Refreshing and Crunchy Celtuce Salad

Celtuce, also known as stem lettuce or Chinese lettuce, might sound unfamiliar, but trust me, this humble vegetable deserves a place in your salad bowl. With its unique crunchy texture and subtly sweet and nutty flavor, celtuce adds a delightful twist to any salad. Today, I’m going to share my simple yet incredibly delicious recipe for celtuce salad that will have you craving more!

Why You Should Try This Recipe

If you’re looking for a refreshing and healthy salad that’s a breeze to prepare, this celtuce salad is the perfect choice. The crispness of the celtuce, combined with the vibrant flavors of the dressing, creates a symphony of textures and tastes that will tantalize your taste buds.

Ingredients

For the salad:

• 2 stalks of celtuce
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds

For the dressing:

• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Celtuce Salad Ingredients

Tools

• Cutting board
• Chef’s knife
• Mixing bowl
• Whisk

Instructions

1. Prepare the celtuce: Rinse the celtuce stalks under cold water and pat dry. Trim off the bottom inch of each stalk and discard. Using a sharp knife, peel off the tough outer layer of the celtuce, starting from the bottom and working your way up. You’ll be left with a tender, pale green core.
2. Slice the celtuce: Cut the peeled celtuce stalks in half lengthwise. Then, thinly slice each half crosswise to create half-moon shaped pieces.
3. Make the dressing: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using) until well combined.
4. Assemble the salad: Add the sliced celtuce, red onion, and chopped cilantro to a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
5. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the salad. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for later.

Mixing Celtuce Salad

Tips and Notes

• For extra crunch, you can soak the sliced celtuce in ice water for about 10 minutes before assembling the salad.
• If you don’t have rice vinegar, you can substitute it with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.
• Feel free to customize the salad by adding other ingredients you like, such as shredded carrots, chopped cucumbers, or mandarin orange segments.
• For a vegan option, simply swap the honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.

Presentation

To make your celtuce salad visually appealing, try serving it on a bed of fresh lettuce leaves. You can also garnish it with extra sesame seeds, chopped green onions, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a pop of color.

Plated Celtuce Salad

Conclusion

There you have it – a simple and delicious celtuce salad that’s bursting with flavor and texture. This versatile salad is perfect as a light lunch, a refreshing side dish, or even a healthy snack. Give it a try and discover the wonderful world of celtuce!