Hijiki Seaweed Salad with Sesame Dressing

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Hijiki Salad with Sesame Dressing

I try to eat salads during days that I feel bloated or want to eat something on the lighter side. I love a quick and easy salad with minimal effort to cook. This hijiki salad is filling and so delicious (not to mention vegan!) with the homemade sesame dressing.

One of the primary ingredients is hijiki seaweed. Hijiki has a savory, mushroom like flavor. It helps improve the health of the digestive system & boost energy levels. All you need to do is soak the hijiki in water for 30 minutes. Then, strain the water. Add it top of salads or rice and you have a nutritious meal!

Optional Toppings

You can add additional toppings to your salad if you’re feeling really hungry or like lots of variety! The toppings I suggest adding is: grilled chicken breast, carrots, onions, tomatoes, avocado and edamame beans. There are no requirements on what you should add to your salad as long as you have good dressing. See below for delicious sesame dressing.

INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR YOUR HIJIKI SALAD:

Hijiki Salad (2 servings):

• ¼ cup hijiki, soaked in 2 cups water
• 3 handfuls arugula
• ½ block firm tofu
• 3 handfuls spring mix

Sesame Dressing (8 servings):

• 4 tbs sesame seeds, crushed or grounded
• 2 tbs sesame paste or peanut butter
• 2 tbs soy sauce
• 2 tbs mirin
• 2 tbs rice vinegar
• 1 tbs sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1-2 garlic, grated

STEPS TO MAKE THE HIJIKI SALAD:

1. Start by soaking the hijiki in water for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, strain and rinse under running water. Dry the hijiki on a paper towel or on a strainer.
2. Next, dice up ½ block of firm tofu or rip in small pieces (looks like feta!)
3. Wash your lettuce of choice (I like arugula and spring mix). Plate the salad on the bottom and top with tofu, hijiki and sesame dressing (you can use homemade or make the sesame dressing below!).

STEPS TO MAKE THE SESAME DRESSING:

1. Ground up 4 tablespoons sesame seeds in a mortar and pestle.
2. After grounding the sesame seeds, add them in a bowl. Then add 2 tablespoons sesame paste or peanut butter, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons mirin, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoons sesame oil, 1 teaspoon sugar, grated garlic. Mix together.
3. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one 1 week.

More healthy options:

• broccoli and chicken – my dad’s famous recipe goes super well with white rice!
• steamed eggplant – chinese eggplant in a garlic sauce is packed with flavor and great if you want to eat healthy!
• stuffed jalapenos – pork and shrimp stuffed in a jalapeno! The jalapenos are filled with vitamin A/antioxidants and so flavorful!

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