Shiitake Salad With Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette Food

SHIITAKE SESAME SALAD DRESSING --A COPYCAT RECIPE

Steps:

• Put the mushrooms in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Let soak until the mushrooms are soft, 10 to 20 minutes. Toast the sesame seeds in a small skillet, stirring until they are golden in color. Remove from the heat so they don't burn.
• Drain the mushrooms, reserving 3 tablespoons of the soaking water. Trim and discard the stem; chop the mushrooms.
• In a blender jar, put the oil, vinegar, soy sauce, reserved soaking water, sesame oil, the chopped mushrooms and xanthan gum, if using. Whir about 10 seconds, just until the mushrooms are tiny pieces. Add the toasted sesame seeds and blend a few seconds more.
• Store in a glass jar, refrigerated.

SHIITAKE SALAD WITH SESAME-GINGER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring mirin to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5-7 minutes or until slightly thickened. Transfer to a small bowl; cool to room temperature. Whisk in the vinegar, soy sauce, shallot, ginger, lemon juice, chili sauce, pepper and oils; set aside., Place mushrooms in a small bowl; drizzle with oil and toss to coat. Transfer to a grill wok or basket. Grill, uncovered, over medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently., In a large bowl, combine the salad greens, onions, radishes, carrots and water chestnuts. Add half of vinaigrette; toss to coat. Divide among four plates; top salad with mushrooms. Drizzle with remaining vinaigrette and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

SHIRATAKI NOODLE SALAD WITH GINGER SESAME DRESSING

Steps:

• Open packages of noodles and place in colander to drain liquid. Bring a medium pot of water to boil and place noodles in the water, cover and boil for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and drain and rinse in the colander, cooling.
• Add cooled noodles to a large salad bowl and mix in bell pepper, cabbage, cucumber, green onions, chickpeas, cilantro and sesame seeds.
• Whisk together all dressing ingredeints in a small dish.
• Toss salad with dressing to distribute well. Chill until serving time.
• Makes 8 servings (about 2/3 cups each)

TEMPURA KALE SALAD WITH SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS, RAISINS, AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast almonds on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing halfway through, until golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop; set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high until oil begins to glisten, about 1 minute. Cook mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and tender, about 5 minutes. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and transfer to a plate; set aside.
• Wipe out pot and pour in canola oil to a depth of 2"; fit pot with thermometer. Heat oil over medium-high until thermometer registers 350°F.
• Meanwhile, cut 3 cups kale leaves into 1" pieces. Thinly slice remaining leaves and set aside separately.
• Combine sparkling water, 1/2 cup rice flour, and 3/4 tsp. salt with a fork in a medium bowl. Toss 1" piece kale leaves, 2 1/4 cups kale stems, and remaining 2 Tbsp. rice flour in another medium bowl. Pour sparkling water mixture over kale, then massage into kale with your hands, coating completely.
• Working in batches, fry battered kale until golden, about 2 minutes per batch. Transfer to paper towels and season with salt.
• Blend vinegar, honey, miso, sesame oil, 1/8 tsp. white pepper, 3/4 cup kale stems, and remaining 6 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a blender until smooth.
• Massage three-quarters of the dressing into reserved sliced kale leaves in a large bowl. Add reserved mushrooms, three-quarters of the tempura kale, and half of the raisins and reserved almonds; toss to combine. Season with salt and white pepper to taste. Transfer to a platter, then top with remaining raisins, almonds, and tempura kale. Drizzle with remaining dressing.
• Do Ahead
• Dressing can be made 1 day ahead; cover and chill. Kale can be prepped 1 day ahead; store in airtight containers and chill.

SESAME GINGER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Place all of the ingredients in a minichop or blender (because the amounts are small, I prefer a minichop) and blend until homogenized.

SESAME-GINGER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Place sesame oil, rice vinegar, green onion, ginger, maple syrup, salt, and pepper in a screw-top jar. Cover and shake well to combine.

SESAME GINGER VINAIGRETTE DRESSING

Steps:

• Toast sesame seeds in a dry, hot skillet just until they turn brown and begin to pop.
• Be careful not to burn them.
• In a food processor blend vinegar, ginger, soy sauce and sesame seeds.
• Slowly blend in sesame oil until emulfisified.
• Refrigerate and Enjoy!