Strawberry Mint Chopped Thai Salad

This is one of my favorite salads of all time. It’s such a pleasure to prepare because it’s almost a theraputic experience because it gets the attention of all your senses. The colors are bright with lots of texture and there’s something so wonderful about the scent of strawberries, lime and mint – so clean and refreshing! This is a great dish when you feel creative, want something really healthy, or you want to impress someone with a unique salad. You can make it with your own flare depending on if you’re feeling like something spicy, savory, citrusy…you get the picture!

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded cabbage
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
2 cups mung bean sprouts
6-8 California strawberries, rinsed, dried and chopped
1 bunch mint, chopped
about 6 thai basil leaves

Dressing:
2-3 tbls canola oil (I actually use Olive Oil, but some might think the flavor clashes)
2 tbls rice vinegar (I use brown rice vinegar)
1 tbls tamari (you can also use kosher salt or a little soy sauce)
2-3 limes, freshly squeezed
1 tbls Thai fish oil
2 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped
1 serrano chili pepper, seeds removed and very finely chopped (if you don’t like the spice, forget about it)
1 dried red chile pepper, chopped finely (or you can used crushed red chili pepper)

Instructions:

• In bowl, further smash the chili pepper and the garlic and the bottom of the bowl with a fork.
• Now add in all the other ingredients and mix well. Let stand until you’re ready to enjoy the salad.
• After all the veggies are chopped, add them all – except for the strawberries) to a bowl and toss with your clean hands or tongs.
• Add the dressing and continue to toss with hands or tongs.
• Add the strawberries and toss a bit more.
• Add to a serving dish and garnish with mint.

Serving suggestion: EAT! Seriously, this dish is so delicious and satisfying that it really stands very well on its own. The great thing is that you are the master and can add whatever you like, for example, chicken, edamame, carrots, etc.

I hope you like it. Feel free to let me know!