I love a full meal deal salad! This tangle of vegetables, both fresh and grilled, served mixed with noodles and garnished with steak and nuts is just the best. It’s on repeat around here. Go ahead and splurge for the best steak – you don’t need much to make it a complete meal.
This dressing is the star of the show – it is light and bright with just the perfect amount of zing.
- 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
- 2 tsp fresh lime juice
- 2-3 tbsp chili garlic sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (reduced sodium)
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp raw sugar (or honey)
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh Thai basil, roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh mint, roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds **
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1/3 cup peanut oil
- kosher salt to taste
** I’m a big fan of toasting nuts or seeds as it adds so much flavour. Watch closely because they go from deeply toasted (my personal favourite) to black …. beware. (yes, I speak from experience)
Whisk all the ingredients, except the oils, together in a bowl. Once combined, slowly drizzle in the oils and continue to whisk until well blended. This is the part where you taste, and adjust if needed – sometimes you need a bit more lime juice, salt or sweetener. If you prefer your dressing on the spicy side, add in a bit of Thai chili or chili flakes.
This recipe is just as versatile as whatever you have on hand. Tonight this dish included:
- Chinese wheat noodles (cooked)
- salad greens
- mint leaves
- basil leaves
- cilantro leaves
- cucumber
- tomato
- bean sprouts
- grilled red pepper
- grilled zucchini
- steamed baby bok choy
- grilled beef tenderloin
- toasted cashews
- toasted sesame seeds
I like to make a salad out of the cold cooked noodles and fresh vegetables, and pile that in the bottom of my bowl. Arrange the cooked vegetables around the sides along with the grilled steak. Drizzle with the dressing and sprinkle the cashews and sesame seeds over.
If you have time, and have a steak that needs marinating, just use a bit of the dressing. This works equally well with chicken, pork or tofu. If you want to use shrimp make sure to only give it a quick marinade.
When grilling the vegetables, drizzle with a little of the dressing before and after grilling.
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