Crunchy veggies, chicken, peanuts and crispy noodles tossed with a lip smackingly delicious Asian Peanut Salad Dressing. This Chinese Chicken Salad is going to knock your socks off. It’s my summer-salad-anthem!
Reducing waste and eating healthier
This is a story about five amazing women. Wives of Aussie farmers. Mothers with university degrees and professional backgrounds who also happen to be the “go-to” person for anything and everything that needs to be done on a farm.
Something that many city folk like myself may never think about is all the millions of tons of fruit and veg that are deemed “not good enough” to be sold in stores. The ugly, wonky ones. Blemished skin. Slightly misshaped. Too big, too small. Too round, not round enough.
And yet, 100% perfect inside.
There has been an increasing number of imperfect fruit and veg sold in Australian stores at discounted prices. But they are still a very small percentage of the Ugly Yet Perfect fruit and veg that ultimately goes to waste.
And when a group of Aussie Queensland carrot growers bandied together to do something about it, who did they turn to for a solution?
Their wives. 🙂 Meet the five amazing Australian women who are the driving force behind Just Veg, the line of “grab and go” vegetable and meal options. Reducing waste and helping people eat healthier.
Here’s the thing. Some people will declare pre-prepared veggies to be the lazy way out. My view is this: if grabbing a bag of pre chopped vegetables means that you’ll make a stir fry at home rather than ordering take out, or be able to throw together a quick 2 minute salad than not have veggies at all, then it’s a good thing.
So by my simple minded logic, I’m Pro-prepared-vegetables. 🙂
And when it comes to pre chopped carrots, you cannot beat Just Veg. Why? Very simple. These carrots are shredded and packed by the very farmers who grow the carrots. These carrots are being chopped within hours of being harvested. How good is that??!
I wanted to make something that really emphasised the convenience of the Just Veg carrots and showcased how crunchy and fresh they are. And this is what I’ve come up with: Chinese Chicken Salad with an Asian Peanut Salad Dressing that’s so good, it should be illegal. 🙂
Yes, you have to chop the cabbage yourself – Just Veg don’t do shredded cabbage (yet 😉 ). But really, shredded cabbage is WAY easier than julienning carrots.
I had this for lunch four days in a row. Testing, retesting, photographing and filming. You’d think I’d get sick of it. Nope. I had it for lunch again today. It’s just too easy to make!
Regular readers know that I am very aware that the food I share often leans towards “brown foods”. You know – ugly but yummy foods like Bangers and Mash with Gravy (swoon) and Salisbury Steak (double swoon…)
So what a delight it is to be sharing this kaleidoscope of colour with you today!!! Gosh, seriously, if all my foods were this pretty, it would make my photographing life a whole lot easier….
PS Notice how little chopping is required?? Just the cabbage really. The shallots / scallions / green onions (yawn – so tired of using all three “languages”!) are optional. As in – you wouldn’t miss it terribly if you didn’t have it in the salad. 🙂
PPS I love inserting photos like this in posts because it irritates my mother no end. She thinks it looks “messy”. It makes her twitch – ba ha ha!
The Asian Peanut Dressing can be served on the side for people to help themselves (I do this when I make this for guests) or toss it through prior to serving. Up to you. If doing the former, I suggest making extra dressing. Just in case you have friends who can’t control themselves (like mine).
Just Veg shredded carrots is now part of my standard weekly shop. I know shredding carrots isn’t hard, but having a bag of Just Veg shredded carrots is just way easier. Which means I’m eating more of it. I’m adding it into sandwiches and wraps. I made carrot fritters last night (really delish Middle Eastern ones), I threw carrots into frittata. It’s going into virtually every salad and I even stirred it into bolognese for a lasagna.
What really sealed the deal for me was chatting to Alice, one of the amazing women who are the driving force behind Just Veg. Her passion for what she does, it really struck a cord. And when I asked her what the most rewarding thing about Just Veg was, she said it was connecting with the consumers. Hearing what they used their carrots for, what they thought. It really resonated with me because Just Veg is her baby in the same way that RecipeTin Eats is mine, and one of the most rewarding things for me is when I hear from readers when they have tried (or even before they have tried!) a recipe.
Plus, it just makes me feel warm and fuzzy that when I grab a bag of Just Veg from Woolworths each week, I know it’s supporting Aussie growers and their families. <3 – Nagi x
PS When you try Just Veg, send them a message here! They LOVE hearing from people, tell them what you think of their carrots!
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Chinese Chicken Salad with Asian Peanut Salad Dressing
Ingredients
Dressing
- 2 1/2 tbsp peanut butter
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp canola oil (or vegetable, grapeseed or peanut oil)
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp+ Sriracha
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp + 2 tsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 – 1 1/2 tbsp water (or lime juice)
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- 1/2 tsp ginger , freshly grated
Salad
- 1 1/2 cups Chinese cabbage / Napa cabbage , shredded
- 1 cup red cabbage , shredded
- 1 1/2 cups carrots , julienned (I used Just Veg pre shredded carrots) (Note 1)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 1/2 cups bean sprouts
- 1 shallot / green onion / scallion , finely sliced on the diagonal
- 1/4 cup peanuts , roughly chopped
- 1/4+ cups crunchy fried noodles (I use Changs)
Instructions
- Mix Dressing in a jug or small bowl. Use water to adjust consistency (it should be pretty thick and gloopy), Sriracha for spiciness and saltiness with salt (not more soy sauce).
- Place all Salad ingredients in a bowl, reserving some noodles, peanuts and shallots for topping. Drizzled with Dressing and toss. Garnish with remaining noodles, peanuts and shallots and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
All. That. COLOUR.
Life of Dozer
Dozer is a fan of Just Veg too….
More salads to try using Just Veg shredded carrots
This post is sponsored by Just Veg. It’s an honour to work for a business and people who I find so inspiring. I love the story behind Just Veg, I believe in supporting Aussie farmers and their families, and I’m proud to have been selected to participate in this campaign. Thank you for reading!
We had this salad the last 2 nights and everyone loved it. Due to various food intolerances I just cut up everything and placed in separate bowls. People then went along the line and made their salad to their own tastes. Vegetarian child did not add meat, spicy child added capsicum and chilies and so on.
I appear to have a lot of dressing left over, how long will it last in the fridge and what else can I use it for?
That’s so cool! A salad bar! I’m sorry I’m late with responding, the dressing will be no good now 🙁 I use it as a dipping sauce or actually, it would even be great in a stir fry!
This sounds so good! I can’t wait to make it. I’m not a big fan of bean sprouts–is there something similar you would recommend to swap out?
Hi Annie! You could just leave it out if you like and sub with a little bit more cabbage. Or add strips of red capsicums / bell peppers. More colour and more YUM! 🙂
Thanks! Red peppers is a great idea.
We just made this today! I had all of the ingredients due to a miso broth soup recipe so thought this would be a great way to utilize what I haven’t for the soup. I already had cooked, shredded chicken in the freezer, so I thawed that and we loved it! I’m all for salad that has more interesting ingredients than just lettuce, so this was very welcome. The dressing was fantastic and just the thing. I can see this becoming a summer staple when that season arrives in Northern America. Thank you so much for sharing this!
WOO HOO! I’m so thrilled that you enjoyed this Holly, thank you for letting me know! N xx
Making this! So making this! I am always looking for recipes to use supermarket roast chicken in and the dressing on this looks sensational. Thanks Nagi!
Really?? I never would have guessed! Hope you’re well Sneh! Christmas madness upon you yet? 🙂 N xx
Yessss! I picked up a roast chicken today and got heaps of carrot, will tag you when I make it :-). yeah, I think I am so over this year already, I reallllllly need a break, even had a bit of a rant on the blog yesterday. But all good lol. You all ready to take on Christmas?? x
Isn’t it so great we have these digital journals? 🙂 Popping over to have a read!!
That is so up my alley and so pretty!
Thanks Susan!! I do hope you try it, I’m rather addicted to it!
Love this recipe, Nagi! I love a good chinese chicken salad, and the dressing is always something I’ve wanted to try at home. Now I’ve got the perfect recipe! 🙂
Also loved reading about the JustVeg brand and what they’re all about. <3
Thank you so much Beeta! I hope you are well, your thanksgiving looked amazing!
Hi, looks like a great salad recipe. Not sure on the quantity given for the rice wine vinegar – “1 tbsp + 2 tsp”. Can you clarify please? Love this website – have made many of the recipes with fantastic results!
Hi Stephen! It means 1 tablespoon PLUS 2 teaspoons of rice wine vinegar 🙂 I know it’s an odd amount but 1 tbsp was not enough but 2 tbsp was too much!! Hope that helps clarify, I wasn’t sure how else to write it! N xx
The fusion of chinese and asian flavors have made the whole dish an innovative yummy creation…mouth watering salad…
Thanks Asiya!! Hope you’re have a fab week! N xx
I started buying the pre cut carrot sticks recently!! I sort of felt guilty for being lazy but now I feel GOOD after reading about these amazing women. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe I’m definately trying it soon!! Ps please don’t think I’m a stalker but I swear I thought I recognised you at Harris farms the other day ? The one in manly!
OMG! I WAS there the other day – a couple of weeks ago?? How good are the pre cut carrots! The other day I was on the road for 2 hours and I grabbed a pack of the sticks and tub of hummus to munch on in the car. Felt SO GOOD!
Another recipe I’ll definitely be trying..! I’m getting so adventurous because your recipes always work – not to mention they get me rave reviews!
Didn’t realize feedback means so much to you. I better get busy! I only use your recipes now!
It really does! Makes me smile knowing that people from all over this big wide world are enjoying my recipes! I do hope you like this, perfect for our warmer weather! N xx
OMG, you are too cute with that slide and swirl of the bag of carrots. How many tries did that take to get it just right!?
This salad looks just fabulous. And I LOVE these amazing women – their ingenuity and the important work they’re doing. How crazy that people are going hungry and yet we have tremendous food waste. I always tell the story about how you take your blog food to the homeless camp where you take Dozer to play. You have a beautiful heart and these ladies do too.
Don’t ask!!! So many takes….so many! You’re so kind Marissa 🙂 It goes both ways, he’s a valuable member of our community, he looks after the dog park for us! N xx
Looks like I have lunch plans tomorrow! This looks SO good! Even that dressing has me drooling!
Thanks so much Karly! Hope you’re having a great week and Christmas madness hasn’t started for you yet! N xx
Great story – I’ll be keeping an eye out for Just veg in the stores here.
And delicious recipe! Perfect timing, I was just pondering what to have for dinner tonight!
Thanks Amanda! I really loved the Just Veg story, really spoke to me 🙂 Hope you do manage to snag some bags! N xx
Love your recipes, but here in ventura co ca. I t is so hard to get some of the chinese herbs or sauces you use. Is ther something I could use thats more obtainable. Thanks Amelia
Hi Amelia! Which of the ingredients in this would you like substitution ideas for? 🙂 N xx
We, Vera and Dozer Are saying Yumi, more, more. Love the dressing alot. As for pre cut Vegies am ALL for IT but price is Not Right. Anything pre pard is great Help to elderly, sick and weak. Have Not gone for IT love doing everything My self regadless been time consuming. Salad ideas Are veryappriciated from now on.
You’re absolutely right Vera! Especially pre cut carrots. Carrots are quite hard compared to veggies like cabbage. 🙂 N xx
Hallo Nagi. We were lucky enough to be tasters for this super salad. It really is so good and crunchy and the sauce is a favourite. Interesting about a Just Veg. I must look them up. The local veggie shop used to have an” ugly” section but it seemed to have disappeared when I was last in there. Shame as it always seemed popular. Dozer— you are so spoilt but carrots are good for you.
It’s there still! If you’re talking about Harris Farms 🙂 It’s in the 2nd aisle! So glad you and Bill enjoyed this Pauline, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on it! Give Lucy a big hug from me! N xx
Another veggie that goes well with this salad is red peppers. It also adds more ‘pretty’!
As long as you have a picture of ingredients, I can usually figure out what you mean whether you use scallion, shallot or green onion.
Another veggie that goes well with this dressing is red peppers. They also add some additional ‘pretty’!
A suggestion for your scallion/shallot/green onion issue – mention it once and put a note that (your preferred name) equals scallion/shallot/green onion. I often have to look at a picture to figure out what a creator means when they use the term shallot as shallots and green onions are very different things in Canada.
Thanks Leslie! I have thought about the best way to deal with it 🙂 Some people just jump straight to the recipe so I include it in that too. I totally should have added red peppers! How did I not think of that? 🙂 N xx
Salivating. Rather like Dozer. Looks wonderful.
BA HA HA!!! If you sit, I’ll give you a taste test too….
Hi Nagi! What a beautiful post! Gary and I were talking about the waste of “ugly” veg when I was slicing and dicing that bushel of peppers…about half of them would never have made it to market. They are now safely sacked away in my freezer! Our local store finally got approval (from who I don’t know) to donate meats and vegetables to missions instead of of throwing it all in the dumpster! ABOUT TIME!! In years past when we had overloads of vegs like squash and cucumbers I would fill a cardboard box and write “free” on it and set it down by the mailbox, it would be gone in no time which made me smile! BTW, this dish looks pretty tasty!
Just when I thought you couldn’t get any cooler….you ROCK Dorothy!