Oriental Salad Recipe
🕒 Prep Time: 20 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 20 minutes
🥗 Recipe Yield: 4 servings
Description:
This Oriental Salad recipe is a delightful discovery from a potluck gathering, perfectly complementing beef, pork, or chicken dishes. It’s versatile enough to use with spinach or romaine lettuce, offering a crunchy and flavorful experience that’s quick to prepare, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 | Spinach |
| 1 | Butter lettuce |
| 2 cups | Fresh bean sprouts |
| 1 can | Water chestnuts |
| 3/4 cup | Bacon |
| 1/2 cup | Sugar |
| 1/4 cup | Ketchup |
| 1/4 cup | Red wine vinegar |
| 2 tbsp | Worcestershire sauce |
| 1/2 | Onion |
| 1 tsp | Dry mustard |
| 1/4 tsp | Salt |
| 1/4 – 1/2 tsp | Cayenne pepper |
Directions:
-
Prepare Ingredients: Start by washing the lettuce thoroughly and tossing it with the fresh bean sprouts, water chestnuts (drained and sliced), and crispy bacon pieces in a large salad bowl.
-
Prepare Dressing: In a small mixing bowl, combine the sugar, ketchup, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, finely chopped onion, dry mustard, salt, and cayenne pepper. Mix well until the sugar is dissolved and the dressing is smooth and well-combined.
-
Toss Salad: Just before serving, pour the dressing over the lettuce mixture in the salad bowl. Gently toss everything together until the dressing evenly coats the salad ingredients.
-
Serve: Transfer the Oriental Salad to a serving dish or individual plates and serve immediately as a refreshing and flavorful accompaniment to your favorite main dishes.
Tips:
- For a twist, you can substitute spinach or romaine lettuce with other leafy greens like arugula or mixed baby greens.
- To make this salad vegetarian-friendly, omit the bacon or replace it with vegetarian bacon bits or smoked tofu for a similar flavor profile.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper according to your spice preference, starting with a smaller amount and adding more if desired for extra heat.
- Prepare the dressing in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use, allowing the flavors to meld together for an even tastier salad.
- Garnish the salad with additional toppings like toasted sesame seeds, sliced almonds, or chopped green onions for added texture and flavor.
This Oriental Salad recipe offers a delightful combination of crunchy textures, savory flavors, and tangy dressing that’s sure to impress your family and friends. Enjoy it alongside your favorite protein or as a light and satisfying meal on its own.
