Asian Watercress Salad

The reason I use the title for this recipe, Asian Watercress Salad, is that because the dressing for this salad uses sesame oil instead of olive oil. The health benefits of watercress is tremendous, which includes providing nutrition and boosting immunities. It prevents cancer and reduces the thyroid. This tiny leafy green vegetable is rich in vitamin C and also improves bone health. The most noticeable Asian recipes for watercress are soup and shaking beef salad. However, I always try to prepare my salads with low calories and with all the benefits of eating salad. The sesame dressing with garlic and ginger is a typical taste in the Asian world.  This salad certainly will bring all the health benefits from the watercress and more.

Ingredients:

4 cups watercress

2 cups total of the following vegetables: cucumber, carrot, bean sprouts, jicama, and red onion

Sesame dressing ingredients:

1/4 cup sesame oil

1/4 cup white rice vinegar

1 tbs honey

1 tbs soy sauce

1/4 tsp salt

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp fresh ginger

Other ingredients:

Roasted sesame seeds, roasted peanuts

Directions:

I use one bunch of watercress. Remove some of the stems. Wash and spin to dry.

The other vegetables are very much your choice. I diced the red onion and julienne the rest of my vegetables mixed in with the watercress in a mixing bowl.

Combine the sesame dressing ingredients in a jar with lid and shake well.

To serve:

Place salad on a serving plate and sprinkle with roasted sesame seeds and peanuts. Toss the dressing with the salad or serve the dressing on the side.