Crunchy Greens With Carrot-Ginger Dressing Recipe
A refreshing and crunchy salad featuring Little Gem or romaine lettuce dressed with a vibrant carrot-ginger dressing made from fresh ginger, carrot, and a tangy blend of rice vinegar and soy sauce, finished with fragrant mint leaves for an invigorating flavor contrast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1 small carrot, peeled and coarsely chopped
- 1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon cold water
Salad
- 2 to 4 heads Little Gem lettuce, leaves separated, or 1 romaine heart, chopped
- 1 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a food processor, combine the peeled and chopped carrot and ginger with the extra-virgin olive oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, granulated sugar, onion powder, a pinch of salt, and the tablespoon of cold water. Purée the mixture until it is as smooth as possible, which should take about 1 to 2 minutes, to create a creamy, flavorful dressing.
- Dress the salad: Place the separated Little Gem lettuce leaves or chopped romaine heart into a large serving bowl. Add a couple of tablespoons of the prepared carrot-ginger dressing and gently toss to lightly coat the greens. Add more dressing as needed to achieve an even but light coating. Be careful not to overdress the salad; the greens should be lightly dressed, not soaked. Adjust seasoning with more salt if desired. Finally, top the salad with the fresh mint leaves and serve immediately to enjoy the fresh textures and flavors.
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier kick, you can add a small amount of minced fresh chili or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
- This salad is best served immediately to maintain the crispness of the greens.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the soy sauce with tamari sauce.
- The dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; bring to room temperature and whisk before using.
- You can substitute Little Gem or romaine with other crunchy greens like butter lettuce or green leaf lettuce for variation.
Keywords: Crunchy greens, carrot-ginger dressing, summer salad, fresh mint, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, light dressing, Little Gem lettuce
