I’ll be the first to admit that my love for salad doesn’t run as deep as it does for something like fried rice. I’m sure we’ve all been that vegan that’s been forced to eat a side salad and call it dinner when we go out to eat.
More the most part, in Sydney at least, it’s not like that anymore. However, some places are hard to crack. For example, if you’re going to have pizza, cheese is integral. I’ve brought vegan cheese along to pizza places in the hopes they use it and don’t turn their noses up at me. I just can’t eat cheeseless veggie pizza again!
Vegans are constantly having to research menus before going out to eat. Though, I do I have to admit, I love it. I can’t not look at a menu before I go somewhere, even if it’s all vegan. Is that a universal experience for vegans and non-vegans alike? Surely it is, because there’s memes about it featuring no less than the likes of Gemma Collins, babes.
But anyways, enough rambling from me. How did it get from salad to reading the menu?! Basically, what I wanted to say is that this isn’t some sad side salad that’s the only vegan option in a restaurant.
I kinda made this salad up as I went along. I knew I wanted something salady, and just added my favourite elements. This really doesn’t take long, and don’t skip out on the rice balls!
And no, I don’t always eat by the ocean, serving my garnishes in abalone shells I found while snorkelling. That’s just more of a flex on my part.
ingredients.
For the salad:
1 pack coleslaw mix
1/2 head kale, chopped into bite-size pieces (note - they’ll shrink in the oven)
1 cucumber
1/2 an avocado
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
For the dressing:
1/4 cup vegan mayonnaise
1 tbsp miso
1 tsp sesame oil
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Salt and pepper
For the rice balls:
1 cup cooked rice
1 flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal mixed with 2 tbsp water)
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp soy sauce
Garnishes:
Coriander
Lemon slices
Chopped peanuts
Chilli flakes
how to.
It can seem overwhelming but lots of this can be cooked together. Start by preparing the oven (heat to 200 c) and line two trays with baking paper.
Prepare the rice by mixing all rice ball ingredients in a bowl, and shape them to the size of ping pong balls. Put them onto one baking tray.
Toss chickpeas with some sesame oil, salt and pepper, and add to same tray as the rice balls. Cook in the oven until everything is crispy, about 15 mins.
Prepare the kale by tossing with some olive oil, salt and pepper, and spread evenly onto the other baking tray. Put in the oven when the rice balls and chickpeas have about 5 min to go. Kale crisps up incredibly quickly, so watch it doesn’t burn.
Meanwhile, prepare the salady things. Chop cucumber and avocado, and put all the salad ingredients (except the kale) into a big bowl. Set aside.
Make the dressing by mixing all dressing ingredients. Set aside.
If you’re feeling fancy, place garnishes into separate bowls.
Now the chickpeas and rice balls should be nearly ready. Pop the kale into the oven for 5-10 mins.
Toss salad with dressing and once kale is ready, place it on top. Finally, add the chickpeas and rice balls. Sprinkle with some coriander and peanuts.
Okay, as a fried rice frequenter (ba da bum) I am totally fascinated by this salad!!
Also: the photo is mesmerizing.
P.S. hopefully Sydney can bypass the whole "gross" vegan cheese era (s) in the coming years and move onto to the modern + delicious!
From your first paragraph, I was thinking "I can relate". Nothing beats a fried rice to delight me - whether it's Japanese, Thai, Indian, or whatever. Second, I recall so many unfortunate dinners where I tapped into the list of appetizers, explaining that yes, I want to ordre five of them, to serve while others have their main course.
Scrolling to the second paragraph, I read:
> I just can’t eat cheeseless veggie pizza again!
Oh dear, I hear you right. So many times I was told "come to the pizza party with us, the restaurant has a vegan pizza" and checking online the menu, they have vegetables tossed on a base pizza (and clearly overpriced). Beside Domino's in Belgium and Pizza Hut in United Kingdom, I enjoyed excellent (and oversized) vegan pizzas in Seattle, WA.
I also like to review the menu of any places before I go to eat - so I can choose upfront, and get inspiration for my own recipes :p
And finally, I foresee myself enoying such a salad, many times during the Summer months. Thank you for the recipe, Arielle!