Inspired Chinese Chicken Salad

Happy Chinese New Year! :) To celebrate, I'm sharing a recipe that Chris and I are currently obsessed with. We've made it for our lunch two days in a row and eaten every single bit from the salad bowl. It's an inspired Chinese Chicken Salad that I found in Food and Wine magazine. Fresh, crunchy, delicious and fast- this is one recipe you'll want to share too! Kung Hei Fat Choi- Happy 2011 year of the rabbit :)


Chinese Chicken Salad (serves 2-3)
1/4 c. mayonnaise
1/4 c. plus 2 Tbsp. unseasoned rice vinegar
3 Tbsp. plus 1 1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 c. light soy sauce
2 tbsp. toasted sesame oil
2 tsp. Tabasco
one 1/2 inch piece of ginger, peeled and minced or 1 tsp. ground ginger
1 small garlic clove, minced or 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1-2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded (I use a rotisserie chicken)
3 stalks green onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, thinly sliced
1/2 c. unsalted roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
1/4 c. chopped cilantro
one small head of romaine, cut into 1/2 inch ribbons
1/2 head of Napa cabbage, thinly sliced
lime wedges for serving

In a bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with the vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, Tabasco, ginger and garlic.
In another large bowl, toss the lettuce, green onion, celery, cabbage, shredded chicken, peanuts, and cilantro. Add the dressing to coat (don't worry, you will have left over dressing for tomorrow! hahaahaa) and toss all together. Serve and eat immediately