Crispy Napa Cabbage Crunch Salad
Bright and refreshing, this Crispy Napa Cabbage Crunch Salad is a perfect summer dish that will take your taste buds on a delightful journey. Unlike traditional coleslaw, this salad features a light and tangy dressing without the heaviness of mayonnaise, making it a refreshing option for warm weather. With its crispy ramen noodle topping and sliced almonds, each bite offers a satisfying crunch that pairs beautifully with the tender, sliced napa cabbage. Not only is this salad a great side dish at summer barbecues, but the versatile dressing is also fantastic on green salads or steamed vegetables, making it a staple in your culinary repertoire.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Napa cabbage
2 heads (thinly sliced)
Canola oil
2 tablespoons (for sautéing noodles)
Ramen noodles
2 (3 ounce) packages (crunched)
Sesame seeds
1 tablespoon (for toasting with noodles)
Garlic cloves
3-4 (crushed)
Sunkist almond accents
1/2 cup (sliced almonds of your choice)
Soy sauce
2 tablespoons (for dressing)
Cider vinegar
1/4 cup (for dressing)
Sugar
1/2 cup (for dressing)
Canola oil
1/4 cup (for dressing)
Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (for dressing)
Ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon (for dressing)
Instructions
1
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine soy sauce, cider vinegar, sugar, 1/4 cup canola oil, pepper, and ground ginger. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for about 1 minute until the sugar dissolves completely.
2
Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the dressing to cool. Once cool, place it in the refrigerator to chill.
3
In a small sauté pan, heat 2 tablespoons of canola oil over low heat. Add the crunched ramen noodles, sesame seeds, and crushed garlic cloves. Stir frequently and cook until the noodles are golden brown, approximately 5-7 minutes.
4
In a large salad bowl, combine the sliced napa cabbage and the toasted noodle mixture, tossing gently to combine.
5
Drizzle the chilled dressing over the salad and give it a good toss. Top with the sliced almond accents for an added crunch.
6
Serve immediately, or let chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary vegetable used in this salad?
The primary vegetable used is Napa cabbage, and you will need two heads that are thinly sliced.
How is the dressing for the Napa Cabbage Crunch Salad prepared?
The dressing is prepared by simmering soy sauce, cider vinegar, sugar, canola oil, pepper, and ground ginger in a saucepan for about one minute until the sugar dissolves.
Does the dressing contain mayonnaise?
No, this salad features a light and tangy dressing without the heaviness of mayonnaise, making it very refreshing.
How do I make the ramen noodles crispy?
You crunch the ramen noodles and sauté them in canola oil with sesame seeds and crushed garlic over low heat until they are golden brown.
How long does it take to toast the ramen noodles?
It takes approximately 5-7 minutes of frequent stirring to toast the noodles to a golden brown color.
Is this salad considered vegan?
Yes, based on the ingredients provided, this salad is vegan as it contains no animal-derived products.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
While the tags mention gluten-free, standard ramen noodles and soy sauce contain gluten; you would need to use gluten-free ramen and tamari to ensure it is safe for a gluten-free diet.
What kind of almonds are used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of Sunkist almond accents or sliced almonds of your choice.
Should the dressing be served hot or cold?
The dressing should be allowed to cool after simmering and then placed in the refrigerator to chill before being drizzled over the salad.
What type of vinegar is recommended for the dressing?
The recipe specifies using 1/4 cup of cider vinegar for the dressing.
How much sugar is in the salad dressing?
The dressing recipe includes 1/2 cup of sugar to balance the acidity of the vinegar.
How much garlic is included in the toasted noodle mixture?
The recipe uses 3 to 4 crushed garlic cloves to flavor the ramen and sesame seed mixture.
Can I prepare this salad in advance?
Yes, you can let it chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
What is the texture of this salad?
The salad is very crunchy due to the toasted ramen noodles, sesame seeds, and sliced almonds, contrasted by the tender napa cabbage.
How many packages of ramen noodles are needed?
You will need two 3-ounce packages of ramen noodles.
Is the ramen seasoning packet used in this recipe?
The instructions do not mention using the seasoning packet; only the crunched noodles themselves are used.
What spices are added to the dressing?
The dressing is seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon of pepper and 1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger.
What other uses are there for the salad dressing?
The dressing is versatile and works well on green salads or as a topping for steamed vegetables.
What type of oil is used for both the dressing and the noodles?
Canola oil is used for both sautéing the noodles and as a base for the dressing.
Is this salad appropriate for a summer barbecue?
Yes, it is described as a perfect summer dish and a great side for barbecues because it is light and refreshing.
How do you assemble the salad?
Combine the cabbage and noodles in a large bowl, drizzle with chilled dressing, toss, and then top with almonds.
How should the garlic be prepared?
The garlic cloves should be crushed before being added to the sauté pan with the noodles.
What is the recommended heat setting for toasting the noodles?
The noodles should be sautéed over low heat to prevent burning while they brown.
How much sesame seed is required?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds to be toasted with the ramen noodles.
Can I serve this salad immediately after mixing?
Yes, you can serve it immediately, although chilling for 30 minutes is an option for better flavor melding.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are a total of 12 ingredients used in this recipe.
Does the recipe include any fruit?
No, this specific recipe focuses on cabbage, noodles, and nuts, though it uses cider vinegar in the dressing.
How much soy sauce is in the dressing?
The dressing contains 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.
What is the final step before serving?
The final step is to top the salad with sliced almond accents for added crunch.
What makes this different from traditional coleslaw?
Unlike traditional coleslaw which often uses mayonnaise, this salad uses a light, vinegar-and-oil-based simmered dressing.