Thai Steak Salad with Sweet & Spicy Tahini Dressing and Sesame Chili-Lime Cashews
Try this Thai Steak Salad with Sweet & Spicy Tahini Dressing and Sesame Chili-Lime Cashews recipe.
Try this Thai Steak Salad with Sweet & Spicy Tahini Dressing and Sesame Chili-Lime Cashews recipe.
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 4 green onions chopped
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 lime, zested
- 1 1/3 cups raw cashews
- 1-2 teaspoons honey
- 2 limes, juiced + the zest of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce (don't be afraid!)
- 2 tablespoons ponzu sauce (or soy sauce but ponzu sauce is best and works better here)
- 2-3 tablespoons sweet thai chili sauce (i used 3 tablespoons)
- 1-2 cloves garlic minced or grated (depending on you taste i used 1)
- 2-3 tablespoons tahini (sesame seed paste) (may sub peanut butter but i loved the tahini)
- 4 cups baby kale or other dark leafy green
- 1 (16 ounce) bag frozen shelled edamame defrosted and cooked for 3-5 min. in boiling water
- 3 carrots, shredded or chopped
- 2 bell peppers (red yellow and or orange), sliced thin
- 1 cup fresh or frozen mango chopped into chunks
- 2 lemongrass stalks chopped
- 3/4 cups of fresh basil cilantro and mint (i only used 1/3 cup mint)
- 4 hard boiled eggs chopped (optional)
- 1/4 cup black and/or white sesame seeds toasted
- Carbohydrate 26.1178058338741 g
- Cholesterol 212 mg
- Fat 27.7449850000228 g
- Fiber 3.32557505375273 g
- Protein 14.5387891667221 g
- Saturated Fat 6.02899029167284 g
- Serving Size 1 1 -6 (208g)
- Sodium 75.5429166670623 mg
- Sugar 22.7922307801214 g
- Trans Fat 1.94599437500727 g
- Calories 395 calories
Step-by-step
- Heat a small skillet over medium heat and add the sesame oil, cashews and chili powder, toss well. Cook over medium heat until lightly toasted and browned, about five minutes. During the last minute of cooking add in the honey. Remove from the heat and add the lime zest and 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds. Toss well and set aside.
- Add the steak to a glass pyrex dish or gallon size ziplock bag.
- In a glass measuring cup or bowl whisk together the lime juice + zest, fish sauce, ponzu sauce, sweet thai chili sauce, garlic and ginger. Pour about 1/4 -1/3 of the dressing over the steak, cover or seal the bag and place in the fridge while you prep the rest of the salad, at least 15 minutes (the longer the better).
- Meanwhile add the tahini to a small bowl and microwave until melted and smooth, about 15-20 seconds. Add the melted tahini to the dressing, whisk until smooth. Taste and add more tahini or sweet thai chili sauce to your liking, set aside.
- In a large bowl add the kale, edamame, carrots, bell peppers, mango chunks, lemon grass and green onions. Give it all a good toss.
- Heat a grill or grill pan to high heat.
- Once hot sear the steak for 5-8 minutes, flip and sear another 5 minutes or until your desired doneness is reached. Remove the steak and allow to rest 5 minutes. Slice steak thinly against the grain and add to the salad. Add the dressing and remaining sesame seeds. Toss to coat and massage the dressing into the veggies for 1-2 minutes. Add the eggs and cashews. Serve warm or cover and place in the fridge until ready to eat.
A Busy Mom's Quick and Delicious Thai Steak Salad
Life as a working mom is a whirlwind. Between school runs, work deadlines, and keeping the household running smoothly, finding time for anything beyond basic survival feels like a luxury. But let me tell you, even a busy mom deserves delicious, healthy meals! That's where this Thai Steak Salad comes in. It's a recipe that I discovered during a particularly chaotic week, and it's become a staple in our household ever since. It's quick, it's flavorful, and it's surprisingly easy to prepare, even on my busiest days.
The beauty of this salad lies in its versatility. You can prep most of the ingredients ahead of time – chopping vegetables, prepping the dressing – and then assemble the salad in minutes when dinner time rolls around. This is a lifesaver on those nights when I'm juggling homework help and a conference call simultaneously. The steak itself is quick to cook; a simple sear on a grill pan or even a hot skillet does the trick. And the flavors? Oh, the flavors! The sweet and spicy tahini dressing is simply divine, and the crunchy sesame chili-lime cashews add a delightful textural contrast. It’s a perfect balance of sweet, savory, spicy, and tangy all in one bowl.
The ingredients are readily available at most grocery stores, and the recipe is easily adaptable to your preferences. Don't have mango? Substitute with pineapple or peaches. Don't like kale? Use spinach or romaine lettuce. The possibilities are endless! This is a recipe that truly allows for creativity and improvisation, making it perfect for busy cooks who don’t want to be slaves to precise measurements. It’s all about creating a vibrant and flavorful salad that the whole family will enjoy. I often double or triple the recipe so we have leftovers for lunch the next day – another bonus for busy moms!
Beyond its practicality, this Thai Steak Salad is also incredibly satisfying. It's a complete meal packed with protein, healthy fats, and a wide array of vitamins and minerals from the colorful vegetables. It's a far cry from the usual quick-and-easy meals that often leave me feeling unsatisfied and reaching for snacks an hour later. This salad keeps me full and energized, providing the fuel I need to power through my day. And, of course, it's a delicious and healthy alternative to takeout, saving both time and money in the long run.
Making this salad has become a cherished ritual, a small moment of calm amidst the chaos of my daily routine. It's a time for me to connect with my family, to nourish their bodies and souls with a meal made with love. And in those moments, the small victories of motherhood – a delicious meal shared, happy faces around the table – make all the effort worthwhile. This salad isn’t just a meal; it’s a testament to the power of simple ingredients, creative cooking, and the joy of family time.
So, if you're a busy mom (or anyone else looking for a quick, healthy, and delicious meal), I highly recommend giving this Thai Steak Salad a try. You won't regret it!
