Oriental Salad

Hot days of Summer got you down? Need a quick fix dinner that you can toss together in the morning and forget about it until dinner time? Well here it is.


You may have heard about this salad before as a Top Ramen Salad or Sue's salad... don't really know who Sue is but that was the name on this salad when I first ever made a basic version of it in my Home Ec class ... oh... 20 years ago... gosh that's a long time. I really don't feel as though it's been 20 years since I was a sophomore in high school but I guess it was... where was I ... ? Oh right... salad... LOL




I tend to eyeball this salad when I make it and find that it really turns out a lot better than I'd expect it to... so that being said, you can double parts of it or add the larger can of something... have a bumper crop of green onions or cucumbers around? toss them in...



Oriental Salad - Menu style...!

1 bag fresh express cole slaw mix - no dressing... just the chopped cabbage, carrots and red cabbage.
1 package top ramen - oriental seasoning is best
1 small can mandrian oranges - drained
1 chicken breast (optional if you are leaning towards vegetarian - could probably sub tofu but why?)
1 bunch green onions
1 handful peanuts ... or cashews... or sliced almonds ... or honey roasted peanuts...



Mix all but noodles in large bowl - and I do mean large, you'll want to space to toss it once you have the dressing in the bowl too. Smash - and I do mean smash!! - the ramen noodles as best you can... open one end and really break them up small. Add to the veggies and chicken - that you've chopped into cubes- and stir.



Dressing... here's the fun...


Oriental seasoning package
Rice Wine Vinegar
Vegetable oil
Soy Sauce
Lime juice
Teriyaki or Hoisin sauce



Okay... so... 1/2 cup or so of the vinegar... add at least 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the seasoning package, 3 splashes of soy sauce, a good 'gloop' of teriyaki sauce - okay, okay, about 2 tablespoons. Wisk quickly to blend. taste it on a piece of cabbage or chicken. How does it taste to you? Do you need to add the Hoisin sauce too or just a little more soy? Add a teaspoon of lime juice if it feels a little too oily and needs the citrus.


Once you have stirred it up enough with your wisk... pour it over the salad mixture and then stir up well so that most all of the salad is coated. Sprinkle top with sesame seeds and cover and put into fridge.


When ready to eat - you can add more sesame seeds and a few more nuts of your choice if you want more crunch. Stir well to re-distribute the dressing and serve.


again - this is totally subjective to how big of a salad you need. or want. Maybe you want more chicken so go ahead and double that part... add more cabbage and less of the ramen... skip the ramen completely and add chow mein noodles before serving for major crunch... whatever you want...


have it your way...


cuz.... ;o)


it's on the menu...