Lots of really creative recipe twists have been popping up on my social media lately. These videos are really inspiring to think outside the box on recipes. I love this concept of a dumpling salad. Combining pan seared dumplings with a dipping sauce dressing, plus fresh veggies and herbs is genius.
I love this recipe for the taste and also for the ease. Using premade store dumplings (I love these bibigo ones if you can find them) and a couple of bags of prewashed salad mix, coleslaw mix and cabbage, this recipe took about 15 minutes to make. Could you get any easier for a meal that feels nutritious and healthy and is SO tasty too? If you use vegetable dumplings, this is vegetarian too.
I added some cubes of pan fried tofu to this too for extra protein. I used my favorite dumpling dipping sauce recipe for the dressing with a little extra oil added. Overall, this is something I will definitely make again on days when time is short for dinner. Check out some of my other Asian recipes too, if you have a bit more time to make dinner tonight.
Dumpling Salad
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 1 bag frozen dumplings or however many you want
- 1 bag coleslaw mix
- 1 bag shredded red cabbage
- 1/2 bag mix leaf lettuce or whatever lettuce you want
- 1 cup cilantro leaves
- 4 sliced scallions
- 1 package firm tofu cut into small cubes
- oil for frying dumplings and tofu
For the dressing:
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp black soy vinegar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- juice of 1 lime
- 1 tsp sambal oelek or other chili garlic sauce
Instructions
- Combine the dressing ingredients and mix well. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 2 tbsp oil. Add the tofu cubes and pan fry them, tossing occasionally until browned on all sides. Move to a plate.
- Add another 2 tbsp oil and fry the dumplings. You can do this according to the package instructions or like I do, which is to lower the heat to medium low, cover the pan, and occasionally flip the dumplings until browned on all sides and 165 degrees in the center.
- In a large bowl, toss together the salad, cabbage, cilantro and scallions. Toss with the dressing, then add the tofu and dumplings and mix until all is coated with dressing. Serve.