17+ Chinese New Year Salad Tossing Recipe They're Simply Irresistible!
Published on: Mar 2, 2024
For centuries, Chinese New Year has been celebrated with elaborate feasts and traditional dishes that symbolize prosperity, good luck, and happiness. One dish that is particularly popular during this time is the Yee Sang, also known as the Prosperity Toss or the Chinese New Year Salad. This colorful and vibrant dish is not only delicious but also carries a deeper meaning as each ingredient represents a wish for the new year. In this article, we will share a traditional chinese new year salad tossing recipe that you can easily make at home to bring luck and prosperity to your celebrations.
If you're looking for a light and refreshing side dish to accompany your beer can chicken, then this Chinese cucumber salad is the perfect choice. Thinly sliced cucumbers are tossed with a tangy dressing made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil, creating a burst of flavors in every bite. Top it off with some toasted sesame seeds for added crunch and nuttiness.
Another classic Chinese salad that pairs well with beer can chicken is the Chinese chicken salad. This dish features a mix of shredded cabbage, lettuce, and carrots tossed with tender pieces of chicken and a sweet and tangy dressing. For added crunch, you can also throw in some chow mein noodles or crispy wonton strips.
For a healthier option, try this Chinese broccoli salad that is packed with nutrients and flavor. Broccoli florets are blanched and then tossed with a dressing made from soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. The addition of sliced almonds and sesame seeds gives this salad a nice crunch and nuttiness.
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Chinese Napa Cabbage Salad with a Crunchy Topping
Main Ingredients: Chinese Cabbage, Green Onions, Canola Oil, Sugar, Rice
This Chinese Napa cabbage salad is a crowd-pleasing dish that combines the refreshing crispness of cabbage with the crunch of crispy noodles and sliced almonds. The dressing, made from a mix of rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil, adds a tangy and savory flavor to the salad.
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Lighter Chinese Chicken Salad
Main Ingredients: Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, Soy Sauce, Rice Wine
If you're watching your calorie intake, this lighter version of Chinese chicken salad is a perfect choice. Instead of using fried wonton strips, this recipe calls for baked wonton strips for added crunch without the extra calories. The dressing is also made with low-sodium soy sauce and honey for a healthier option.
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Keyword Chicken Salad, Chinese Chicken Salad, Chinese...
Main Ingredients: Wonton Skins, Canola Oil, Chunky Peanut Butter, Fresh
When it comes to Chinese chicken salad, there are endless variations and recipes that you can find. Some use poached chicken while others use grilled chicken, and some even incorporate mandarin oranges or pineapple for a touch of sweetness. Find the recipe that works best for you and customize it to your liking.
If you're short on time but still want to impress your guests with a delicious salad, then this easy Chinese chicken salad is the way to go. Simply mix together shredded cabbage, chopped romaine lettuce, and shredded carrots with some chicken and a store-bought sesame ginger dressing. Top it off with some crunchy chow mein noodles and you're good to go.
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Chinese Chicken Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing
Main Ingredients: Chicken Breasts, Peanut Oil, Kosher Salt, Pepper, Rice
If you prefer to make your own dressing, this Chinese chicken salad with sesame ginger dressing is a must-try. The dressing is made from a blend of sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and fresh ginger, giving it a deliciously tangy and savory flavor. Toss it with your favorite greens and some grilled chicken for a perfect summer salad.
This Chinese smashed cucumber salad is a refreshing and unique dish that is perfect for summer days. The cucumbers are smashed and then tossed with a dressing made from garlic, chili oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. The combination of spicy, tangy, and crunchy makes this salad a standout dish.
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Chrissy Teigen’s Chinese Chicken Salad
Main Ingredients: Wonton Wrappers, Vegetable Oil, Kosher Salt, Peanut
This recipe from model and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen has become a favorite for many, and for good reason. The salad features a mix of shredded cabbage, carrots, and lettuce tossed with grilled chicken and a delicious dressing made from hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and fresh ginger. Top it off with some crunchy wonton strips and sliced almonds for added texture.
For a simple and easy-to-make salad, try this Chinese cabbage salad that requires only a handful of ingredients. Thinly sliced cabbage is tossed with a dressing made from rice vinegar, garlic, and honey, giving it a deliciously sweet and tangy flavor. It's a perfect side dish for any meal.
If you're a fan of chopped salads, then this Chinese chopped salad is a must-try. It features a mix of cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, and chicken, all chopped into bite-sized pieces and tossed with a dressing made from soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil. It's a flavorful and satisfying salad that will leave you wanting more.
For a vegetarian option, this Chinese tofu salad is a great choice. Cubed tofu is marinated in a dressing made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, and garlic and then tossed with cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers. The tofu gives this salad a nice protein boost, making it a filling and nutritious dish.
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Chinese Sesame Asparagus Salad
Main Ingredients: Asparagus, Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil, Water, White Sesame
This Chinese sesame asparagus salad is a delicious and healthy side dish that goes well with beer can chicken. The asparagus is lightly blanched and then tossed with a dressing made from sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar, giving it a savory and nutty flavor. Top it off with some toasted sesame seeds for added crunch.
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Lucky Black-eyed Pea Salad for the New Year!
Main Ingredients: Lettuce, Black Eyed Peas, Red Onion, Bell Pepper, Black
This lucky black-eyed pea salad is a traditional dish served during Chinese New Year for good luck and fortune. The salad features black-eyed peas, cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers, all tossed with a dressing made from rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. It's a flavorful and symbolic dish that is perfect for any celebration.
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Crunchy Chinese Pork Salad
Main Ingredients: Roasted Pork Loin, Bacon, Iceberg Lettuce, Water
For a heartier option, try this crunchy Chinese pork salad that is full of flavor and texture. The salad features thinly sliced pork that is marinated in a soy sauce and honey mixture and then pan-fried until crispy. Toss it with cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, and a sweet and sour dressing for a delicious and satisfying meal.
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Chinese Chicken Salad Dressing
Main Ingredients: Granulated Sugar, Water, Pickled Ginger, Rice Wine
No Chinese chicken salad is complete without a delicious dressing to tie all the flavors together. This homemade Chinese chicken salad dressing is made from a mix of soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and fresh ginger, giving it a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory. Feel free to adjust the ingredients to your liking and make it your own.
The Importance of Yee Sang in Chinese New Year
Symbolism and Tradition
The Yee Sang is a dish that originated from the Cantonese community in Malaysia and has since become a staple dish in Chinese New Year celebrations around the world. The word "Yee Sang" means "raw fish" in Cantonese, and this dish is traditionally made with raw fish as the main ingredient. However, in recent years, vegetarian and even fruit versions have become popular to cater to different dietary preferences.
Yee Sang is not just a dish, but it is also a ritual that symbolizes prosperity and abundance for the upcoming year. The tossing of the salad is believed to bring luck and good fortune, as the higher you toss, the more prosperous the new year will be. The vibrant colors of the dish also represent various aspects of life, such as happiness, wealth, and longevity.
The Ingredients and Their Meanings
Every ingredient in Yee Sang holds a symbolic meaning, making this dish more than just a salad. Here are the main ingredients and their significance:
- Raw fish or salmon: prosperity and abundance
- Carrots: good luck and fortune
- Cucumber: longevity and good health
- Pomelo: abundance and luck
- Green radish: eternal youth and growth
- Pickled ginger: harmony and luck
- Crushed peanuts: wealth and long life
- Sesame seeds: prosperity and fertility
- Five-spice powder: balance and harmony
- Plum sauce: sweetness and happiness
How to Make Yee Sang
Ingredients:
- 1 large carrot, julienned
- 1 cucumber, julienned
- 1 pomelo, peeled and separated into segments
- 1 green radish, julienned
- 1 pickled ginger, thinly sliced
- ½ cup crushed peanuts
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- ½ teaspoon five-spice powder
- ½ cup plum sauce
- 1 cup raw salmon or vegetarian/fruit substitute
- 1 package of wonton wrappers, fried and cut into strips for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, mix together the julienned carrots, cucumber, pomelo, green radish, and pickled ginger.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together the crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, and five-spice powder.
3. Add the plum sauce to the vegetable mixture and toss until well coated.
4. Add the salmon or vegetarian/fruit substitute on top of the vegetables.
5. Sprinkle the peanut and spice mixture on top of the salmon.
6. When ready to serve, gather your family and friends around the table and toss the salad together using chopsticks.
7. As you toss, make wishes and say blessings for the new year.
8. Garnish with fried wonton strips and serve immediately.
In conclusion, the Yee Sang is not just a dish, but it is a representation of tradition, symbolism, and blessings. This chinese new year salad tossing recipe is a must-try for your Chinese New Year celebrations, and it is a fun and delicious way to bring luck and prosperity to your loved ones. Happy Chinese New Year!
