I have a feeling that most of my recipe-related posts for the next 20-some-odd weeks will center around the CSA box. I hope it doesn’t get old (to you or to me), so I’ll do my best to keep things interesting. But with all this new produce, I find myself making new yummy stuff that I simply must share. You understand, right?

After discussing this week’s leftover items with my friend Julie (who happens to be a lovely person and fantastic cook) and gleaning advice from her, here we have the next Asian item on the menu. The three parts (dressing, veggies, crunchies) come together for a toasty-tasty treat. Don’t let the three steps trip you up. It really is super simple.

Asian Salad
Serves 4-6
or 3 hungry girls who are watching The Voice with a side of Totino’s pizza bites (just sayin’)

Dressing:
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
¼ cup sesame oil
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/3 cup sugar

Crunchies:
¼ cup butter, melted
1 package Ramen noodles, broken (discard seasoning packet)
½ cup sliced almonds
¼ cup sesame seeds

Veggies:
1 Japanese cabbage or bok choy, diced
5 scallions, chopped
1 kohlrabi, cut into matchsticks (I used this because I had it, but you could easily substitute shredded carrots or another crisp veggie.)

• In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar, oils, soy sauce, and sugar. Set aside.
• Melt butter in a small sauté pan. Add Ramen noodles, almonds, and sesame seeds. Sauté until toasted. Drain on paper towels.
• Meanwhile, chop remaining ingredients. If serving soon, add to the prepared dressing. If not, set aside until ready.
• Just before serving, toss toasted crunchies into salad.

  

Next time, I think I’ll: Add red chili flakes to the dressing for a little kick.

Side notes:

• Can I confess something? I was embarrassed to buy those Ramen noodles. I mean, what am I, 19? And here’s the best part—there was one other person on the isle with me, and he was a college student (I know this because he was wearing a fraternity T-shirt). Did he buy Ramen? No. Just me. Did he judge me? Probably. I mean, I would have judged me if I were him. So, I bought an extra package to save myself from future humiliation.
• Can I confess something else? All these years I thought it was “Tostino’s Pizza Bites” (which, for whatever reason, I’m not that embarrassed to purchase, but I should be). Turns out, it’s “Totino’s Pizza Rolls.” To be such a stickler for grammar and spelling, I sure did miss a few beats there. I even Googled “Tostino’s” and got the whole, “Did you mean: Totino’s?” Wow. Google is so condescending sometimes.
• The “Side Notes” section will now be known as “Confessions.”