It's nice to have a big bowl of something tasty in the fridge that you can have for dinner, sure, or parcel out for lunches at work/school, or take for a picnic, even. This colorful salad is immensely flexible, if you want to include a different veg or have particulars you have on hand. The creamy peanut dressing coats each yummy bite; I think you might even want to make extra!
I've included shrimp in the recipe, but if you don't have it, no big deal. You can also tear up a rotisserie chicken, add roasted cubed tofu or sub in another can of beans. Or not; do what works best for you! Also, we like this served in a bowl on a grain. It's super without the grain, too.
Chopped Salad with Peanut Dressing
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
For the salad:
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 cups carrot matchsticks (or shredded)
1/2 smallish head of cabbage (red or green), chopped (about 3 - 4 cups shredded cabbage)
2 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 cup cilantro, finely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped green onion
1 jalapeño or pepperoncini (if you want it a little less spicy), seeded and diced
500 grams shrimp (any size), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces, optional
For the curry peanut butter dressing:
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
2- 3 teaspoons yellow curry powder
1/4 teaspoon red cayenne pepper
3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
4 - 6 tablespoons warm water, to thin dressing
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
To serve:
cooked rice, quinoa, or your favorite grain
Directions
In a large bowl, add red bell pepper, carrot, cabbage, chickpeas, cilantro, green onion and chili and shrimp, if using.
In a small bowl, mix together the dressing ingredients: peanut butter, ginger, garlic, rice vinegar, soy sauce, curry powder, cayenne pepper, and turmeric. Mix to combine. Add water to thin to make a dressing like consistency that’s easily pourable. Taste and add salt and pepper, as necessary.
Pour dressing over salad and mix well to combine.
To serve, scoop your favorite grain in your bowl, and top with salad. Enjoy!