Chinese Spinach Salad

 

Blanched spinach and fried peanuts are served in a gingery vinegar dressing. The tender spinach and crispy peanuts give you a satisfying mouthfeel. The tart vinaigrette is slightly sweet and tastes so refreshing. It’s simple, highly nutritious, and easy to cook.   With all its fresh ingredients, this pretty spinach salad is my favorite.

 

 

INGREDIENTS

1 pound spinach, tough ends removed
1 cup raw peanuts
1 tablespoon peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
2 tablespoons Chinese black vinegar
1 teaspoon light soy sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons minced ginger
3 gloves garlic
1 green onion
1 fresh hot chili (optional)
(optional) roasted white sesame seed for decoration

 

Direction:

Step 1:    Slice garlic, green onion, and fresh hot chili.    Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add spinach and cook over medium heat until cooked through, about 2 minutes. Drain spinach and set aside to cool.   Add oil and peanuts to a wok (or small skillet).  When spinach is cool enough to handle, squeeze extra water out of it with both hands. Chop spinach into pieces about 8 centimeters (3 inches) in length and transfer to several small serving bowls.

Heat over medium heat and stir with spatula continuously, until the skin of the peanuts turns dark brown and the edges turn golden brown. Turn off heat immediately and transfer peanuts to a plate to cool.   Combine black vinegar, light soy sauce, sugar, and salt in a small bowl, mix well, and set aside.

            

 

 

Step 2:    Right before serving, top spinach with peanuts and drizzle with the vinegar sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve immediately.