Today I spent more money at the grocery store than I have ever spent in my life. I actually got the shakes when I was checking out and saw the number go up and up and up. Sweaty, tremble-y hands, discombobulated, everything. I’m like the antithesis of a shopaholic. It’s not that I can’t spend money. It’s just that usually when I spend that much money on something, I’ve thought about it for a while, and of course talked to Eric about it. I can’t handle the fact that I just randomly went and spent hundreds of dollars on a Monday afternoon. When Eric interviewed for his job, they talked to him about “sticker shock.” It’s something we were expecting. You don’t move to California and expect your grocery bill to be the same. Plus, whenever you move into a new place you have to stock up on everything that is usually just already in your fridge: mayonnaise, salad dressing, ice cream. What, ice cream isn’t a staple in your freezer? You will probably live longer than me. Well, I’m just glad I’m so cheap that I took the time to pack up my entire pantry before we moved. When all the kitchen boxes were finally emptied, I had 4 pounds of powdered sugar, 30 or 40 cans of beans and tomatoes and fruit, 4 containers of cocoa powder, tons of pasta, Crisco, chocolate chips…you get the idea. I think I had more food packed in those boxes than my brother had in his entire kitchen (before I started cooking for them, of course.) Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram We loved this salad. It is a perfectly light side dish. And I mean it when I say light, don’t expect the flavor to kick you in the mouth. It’s delicate. If you have a mandoline, use it. If not, then you will have to slice by hand, but other than that part, this is a really easy and fast recipe.
Use brown sugar instead of white for a deeper, caramel sweetness. Try a dab of Korean gochujang paste instead of the red pepper flakes. Mix in a little miso paste for Japanese umami flavors. Add some minced garlic in addition to the onion.
This salad is also perfect for serving with these Asian-inspired recipes:
Asian Pork Tenderloin with Ginger Glaze (Slow Cooker) « easy, healthy, and made in the slow cooker. Asian Seared Chicken with Stir Fried Green Beans « an amazing low-carb meal with crispy, Asian-inspired chicken. Easy Sesame Noodles with Spring Veggies « a perfect light, summer dinner that’s EASY Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls (Slow Cooker) « super easy weeknight meal with homemade teriyaki sauce. Sheet Pan Asian Salmon with Broccoli, Carrots, and Rice Noodles « a 30-minute meal with the most tender chili-spiced salmon.
