This is not an authentic recipe. I whipped it up one day when I wanted to indulge in an Asian-inspired vegetable-based salad with noodles. The ingredients are authentically Asian, however. And as I do, typically, I added this, chopped that, poured in this and that, and the dressing came out top notch. These are all some of my favorite ingredients.
My husband gets annoyed when he really loves something I create in the kitchen, but I have no way of replicating it. That’s usually when I use some ingredients I’ve made myself, like a certain broth or a unique pesto or herbaceous oil.
In the case of the dressing, I immediately put pen to paper and attempted to recreate what I’d thrown into the blender. It was very close to what I made originally, and obviously you don’t have to measure anything to create this type of dressing. You may want more or less vinegar, or more or less lime juice, or more or less hot sauce of choice.
So make it yours!
The protein can also be changed up. I love seafood like the salmon I used, but also shrimp, scallops, and tuna. Chicken and beef work just as well. And grilled tofu. Have fun!
Asian Peanut Butter Dressing
1 1/2” piece of fresh ginger, chopped
5 garlic cloves, halved
4 tablespoons good peanut butter
2 ounces soy sauce
2 ounces black vinegar (or use apple cider vinegar)
2 ounces Shaoxing cooking wine
2-3 tablespoons sambal oelek, to taste
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
Juice of 2 limes
1 squirt agave
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Serve the dressing at room temperature or warmed slightly. I also think the protein is best warm, unless you are using an avocado.
I bought this product for some crunch, but didn’t like them.
Any vegetables can be used for an Asian-inspired salad – cabbage, lettuce, red bell peppers, snow peas, bean sprouts, avocado, broccoli, cucumbers, cauliflower, mushrooms, celery, green onions, water chestnuts, edamame, chile peppers, and carrots. You can also use fresh or dried noodles and nuts for crunch. And fresh cilantro is always a great topper! Get creative!