Aunt Grace’s Napa Salad

🥗 Aunt Grace’s Napa Salad 🥗

Aunt Grace’s Napa Salad is a delightful and refreshing salad known for its vibrant flavors and crunchiness. This salad doesn’t have a widely documented history, but it’s likely a family recipe that has been passed down through generations. It’s a perfect blend of Asian and Californian influences.

Components:

• Napa Cabbage: The star of the salad, Napa cabbage is a mild, tender, and slightly sweet variety of Chinese cabbage. It forms the base of the salad and provides a crisp texture.

• Mandarin Oranges: Sweet and juicy mandarin orange segments add a burst of citrusy flavor and a hint of natural sweetness to the salad.

• Sliced Almonds: These provide a nutty crunch and a lovely contrast to the tender cabbage.

• Green Onions: Sliced green onions offer a mild onion flavor and a touch of color.

• Sesame Seeds: Toasted sesame seeds contribute a nutty flavor and a slight crunch.

• Wonton Strips: Crispy, golden wonton strips add a delicious crunch and an Asian-inspired twist.

• Dressing: The dressing typically consists of a mix of soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar, and a hint of garlic. It’s savory, sweet, and tangy all at once.

Preparation:
Here are the steps to prepare Aunt Grace’s Napa Salad:

1. Prepare the Cabbage: Start by slicing the Napa cabbage thinly. Place it in a large salad bowl.

2. Add Oranges: Gently fold in the mandarin orange segments.

3. Toast Almonds and Sesame Seeds: In a dry skillet, toast the sliced almonds and sesame seeds over medium heat until they turn golden and fragrant. Let them cool before adding them to the salad.

4. Green Onions and Wonton Strips: Add the sliced green onions and crispy wonton strips to the salad.

5. Prepare the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar, and minced garlic to make the dressing.

6. Toss and Serve: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss everything together. Make sure the salad is evenly coated with the dressing.

7. Chill: For the best flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving.

Time Needed:

• Preparation Time: 15-20 minutes
• Chilling Time (optional): 30 minutes

Aunt Grace’s Napa Salad is not only a tasty dish but also visually appealing with its vibrant colors and various textures. It’s perfect for a refreshing lunch or as a side dish for a larger meal. Enjoy! 🥗🍊🥬🥜

Certainly! Here are the approximate nutrition facts and some health information for Aunt Grace’s Napa Salad:

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, approximate):

• Calories: 180-220
• Total Fat: 10-12 grams
• Saturated Fat: 1-2 grams
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Sodium: 350-400 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 20-25 grams
• Dietary Fiber: 3-4 grams
• Sugars: 10-12 grams
• Protein: 5-6 grams

Please note that these values can vary depending on the specific ingredients and the amount of dressing used. This salad is generally considered healthy due to its high vegetable content and the nutritional benefits of the ingredients:

Health Information:

1. Low in Calories: Aunt Grace’s Napa Salad is relatively low in calories, making it a suitable choice for those looking to manage their calorie intake.

2. Rich in Fiber: The Napa cabbage and vegetables in the salad provide dietary fiber, which is good for digestion and can help you feel full and satisfied.

3. Vitamins and Minerals: Napa cabbage and mandarin oranges are good sources of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate. These nutrients are essential for overall health.

4. Healthy Fats: The almonds in the salad provide healthy unsaturated fats and some protein. These fats can be beneficial for heart health.

5. Soy Sauce: The soy sauce used in the dressing contains sodium, so it’s important to use it in moderation if you’re watching your salt intake. You can opt for a low-sodium soy sauce as a healthier alternative.

6. Balanced Flavor: The combination of sweet and savory flavors in the salad dressing can make it more enjoyable to eat a variety of vegetables.

7. Hydration: The high water content in Napa cabbage and mandarin oranges can help keep you hydrated.

Remember that the nutrition facts and health information provided are approximate and can vary based on the specific brands and measurements used. Adjusting the dressing and ingredients can help tailor the salad to your dietary preferences and needs. Enjoy your healthy and delicious Aunt Grace’s Napa Salad! 🥗🍊🥬🥜🥗