Sesame-ginger Cooked Cabbage Salad

Tender-crisp cabbage and carrots are quickly sautéed with garlic, ginger, tamari, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil for a warm asian-inspired salad. It works well as a light lunch or a vegetable-forward dinner alongside rice, tofu, or grilled protein.
Prep: 15 min · Cook: 10 min · Total: 25 min · Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 2 tsp maple syrup
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 0.25 tsp kosher salt
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 4 whole scallions (thinly sliced, whites and greens separated)
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger (finely grated)
- 1.5 lb green cabbage (cored and thinly sliced)
- 2 tbsp gluten-free tamari
- 1.5 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 0.25 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 medium carrots (peeled and julienned)
- 2 tbsp unseasoned rice vinegar
- 1.5 tbsp neutral oil
Instructions
- Place the thinly sliced green cabbage in a large salad spinner or colander, rinse it under cool running water, and drain it very well for 2-3 minutes so the cabbage will sauté instead of steam excessively.
- Arrange the cabbage, julienned carrots, sliced scallion whites, sliced scallion greens, minced garlic, and grated fresh ginger near the stove in separate piles on a rimmed sheet pan or large cutting board so each ingredient can be added quickly.
- Whisk the gluten-free tamari, unseasoned rice vinegar, maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper flakes in a small bowl for about 30 seconds, until the salt dissolves and the dressing looks glossy.
- Heat a 12-inch wok or large deep skillet over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes, until a drop of water flicked onto the surface sizzles and evaporates quickly.
- Add the neutral oil to the hot wok and swirl to coat the bottom for 15-20 seconds, until the oil shimmers but does not smoke.
- Add the scallion whites, minced garlic, and grated fresh ginger to the wok, then stir constantly with a wooden spoon or wok spatula over medium-high heat for 30-45 seconds, until fragrant and lightly sizzling without browning.
- Add the julienned carrots to the wok and stir-fry over medium-high heat for 2 minutes, until the carrots brighten in color and begin to soften at the edges.
- Add the sliced green cabbage in two handfuls, tossing with tongs after each addition, and cook over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes, until the cabbage wilts by about one-third but still has a tender-crisp bite.
- Pour the prepared tamari-vinegar dressing around the sides of the wok, then toss the vegetables continuously over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes, until the liquid lightly coats the cabbage and no watery pool remains in the bottom of the pan.
- Remove the wok from the heat and let the cooked cabbage salad stand in the pan for 2 minutes, allowing the residual heat to finish softening the vegetables while they remain bright and lightly crisp.
- Transfer the warm cabbage salad to a wide serving bowl with tongs, then sprinkle it evenly with the scallion greens, toasted sesame seeds, and chopped fresh cilantro.
- Taste a small forkful while warm and adjust only if needed with a few extra drops of rice vinegar for brightness or tamari for saltiness, then serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 86
- Protein: 2 g
- Fat: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 478 mg
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