Tatsoi salad. Have you heard of it? Don’t worry, until recently, I hadn’t either! This vibrant green, with its delicate leaves and subtly sweet flavor, has quickly become one of my favorite salad bases. It’s incredibly versatile and adds a unique touch to any meal.
Imagine: you’re sitting down to a light, healthy, and absolutely delicious salad. The tatsoi, with its mild mustard flavor, blends beautifully with a bright citrus dressing and crunchy toppings. It’s the kind of salad that makes you feel energized and satisfied, not to mention incredibly virtuous for choosing such a nutritious meal.
This guide will walk you through creating your own delicious tatsoi salad at home. We’ll cover everything from selecting the freshest ingredients to tips for a beautiful presentation. So, let’s get started!
Gather Your Ingredients:
For this simple yet flavorful salad, you’ll need:
- Tatsoi: 1 bunch, about 5 ounces, washed and dried thoroughly
- Carrot: 1 medium, peeled and thinly sliced
- Red Onion: ¼ cup, thinly sliced
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: 2 tablespoons
- Optional Toppings: Sliced almonds, mandarin orange segments, edamame beans
For the Dressing:
- Rice Vinegar: 2 tablespoons
- Sesame Oil: 1 tablespoon
- Honey: 1 teaspoon
- Soy Sauce: 1 teaspoon
- Fresh Ginger: 1 teaspoon, grated
Equipment You’ll Need:
- Salad Spinner: For washing and drying the tatsoi
- Chef’s Knife: For slicing and chopping
- Cutting Board: For safe and clean food prep
- Small Mixing Bowl: For whisking the dressing
- Salad Bowl: For tossing and serving your beautiful creation
Fresh ingredients for tatsoi salad
Let’s Make the Salad:
- Prepare the Tatsoi: After washing and drying the tatsoi, remove any tough stems. You can leave the leaves whole or roughly chop them, depending on your preference.
- Prepare Your Toppings: Thinly slice the carrot and red onion. Toasting the sesame seeds is optional but adds a nice nutty flavor. Simply heat them in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant.
- Make the Dressing: In your small mixing bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, and grated ginger until well combined.
- Assemble Your Salad: In your salad bowl, combine the tatsoi, carrots, and red onions. Drizzle with your desired amount of dressing and toss gently to coat.
- Finishing Touches: Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the salad. Feel free to add any additional toppings at this point.
Close-up shot of hands tossing tatsoi salad
Tips and Notes for Salad Success:
- Tatsoi Variations: Feel free to get creative with your toppings! Sliced almonds, mandarin orange segments, or edamame beans would all pair beautifully with the other flavors.
- Dressing Consistency: The dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Storage: If you have leftovers, store the dressed salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Why This Salad is a Winner:
Not only is this tatsoi salad incredibly delicious, but it’s also packed with nutrients. “Tatsoi is an excellent source of vitamins A and C,” says registered dietitian, Sarah Jones. “It’s also a good source of folate and potassium.”
Ready to Enjoy?
And there you have it – a simple and flavorful tatsoi salad that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s a delicious way to incorporate more leafy greens into your diet. I encourage you to give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments below! Happy cooking!
