“When the warm weather hits, I know what I’m making. This is a must in my fridge, it goes with so much.”

This Sesame Celery Salad is a wonderfully light, crisp, and flavorful side dish that comes together quickly. Blanched celery is tossed in a savory and aromatic Asian-inspired dressing, making it a refreshing addition to any meal.

Sesame Celery Salad

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Prepare Ice Bath: Fill a medium to large bowl with cold water and ice cubes, and set it aside. This will be used to quickly chill the celery.
2. Blanch Celery: Cut the celery into 1-inch diagonal slices. Place the prepared celery into a saucepan and add enough cold water to just cover it. Bring the water to a boil. As soon as it boils, immediately drain the celery and transfer it into the prepared bowl of ice water to cool down rapidly. This stops the cooking process and helps maintain crispness.
3. Prepare Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, packed light brown sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic until well combined and the sugar is dissolved.
4. Dress the Celery: Once the celery is completely cooled in the ice bath, drain it very well. Add the drained celery to the bowl with the dressing, tossing gently to combine and coat all the celery pieces.
5. Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
6. Garnish and Serve: Before serving, garnish the salad with sesame seeds. Serve chilled and enjoy!