Tuesday 18 March 2014

Japanese Sesame Salad Dressing


This salad dressing posted by Jessie got me very excited.  I love Japanese style salad dressing and this recipe is a God send. Jessie's Sesame Salad Dressing, a recipe shared by her Japanese friend, is truly fantabulous and I love it a lot and a lot and a lot!

The ingredients used in this dressing are sesame seeds, carrot, brown onion, garlic, sugar, oil, brown rice vinegar and light soya sauce.


The sesame seeds are lightly toasted until fragrant and all there is to do next is to put all the ingredients into a blender and whizz away. Easy isn't it?

Everything goes into the blender.

The first thing that hit me when I removed the lid of the blender was the beautiful aroma of the toasted sesame seeds. One taste and I instantly feel in love with this dressing! The carrot and onion contributed to the flavor of the dressing and at the same time acted as a natural thickener. What you get is a smooth creamy dressing that will encourage you to eat more salad. 


You can use any vegetable that you like to make the salad and as you know, what makes or breaks a salad is the dressing. I used the ready washed salad greens available at the supermarket and this saves me from having to wash and drain my greens. To that I added Japanese cucumbers, onions and cherry tomatoes. For the protein, I used my favorite oinks - siew yoke. If you have read my earlier post Siew Yoke Kerabu, you will know that I like my siew yoke with some fats. Yes, Ivy, I hear you screaming. But don't worry. I don't eat siew yoke all the time.


I must say that the dressing went very well the siew yoke and of course with the fresh tasty greens. I think anyone who does not like salads will be instantly converted when they taste this gorgeous dressing.


Jessie, a very big thank you for sharing this recipe. And to the rest of you, please try this salad dressing. I promise you that you will fall in love with it too!


I am reproducing Jessie's recipe below with slight modifications. The only changes that I made was that I omitted the sugar and I increased the amount of vinegar slightly. I have reduced my sugar intake by quite a lot (I take my coffee without sugar) and my tastebuds have become more sensitive. I reckon the natural sweetness from the carrots and onions would be just nice for me and I was right.



Japanese Sesame Salad Dressing
Recipe source : Jessie Cooking Moments
(My modifications in red)

Ingredients :
- 30g white sesame seeds, dry fried/toasted until fragrant
- 1/2 carrot, roughly chopped
- 1/2 brown onion (Bombay onion), roughly chopped
- 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
- 50g castor sugar (I omitted)
- 350ml sunflower oil (I used grapeseed oil)
- 100ml brown rice vinegar (I used 125ml)
- 130 ml light soya sauce

Method :
- put all the ingredients into a blender and blend until everything is fine and emulsified.
- store in a glass jar and keep refrigerated.

Note : The dressing will separate after standing for sometime, so shake the bottle before using.

56 comments:

  1. You are so right Phong Hong.. I don't like salads...But with this dressing, I can finish the whole bowl.. In fact, I don't like greens.. Give me vegetables and I'll leave them aside, but of course, I have to pretend to love eating vegetables in front of my kid.. He's picky and fussy enough, I don't want anymore eating dramas with him on the dining table..

    Anyway, back to you.. You are so right, I don't like salads, BUT (there's a BUT), I will finish all the salad if there's this sesame dressing on it.. I will purposely order a set when I dine in Pasta Zanmai (previously they have sets which comes together with a salad and a soup) just to eat the salad (with sesame dressing) of course.. I am very weird one, if I buy the whole bottle of sesame dressing (which is available in any supermarkets sections selling Japanses stuffs), I think it will be still in the fridge today, but if I order the salad from the restaurant, I will gobble it up within seconds.. Hmm, weird, heh?

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    1. Hi Louiz! I call you back your old name lah, OK? So I see that you will only eat salad if someone serves it to you is it? If sendiri go into the kitchen to prepare a bowl of greens and kacau-kacau the salad, no thrill right? You want to be served, like a princess. But seriously, Louiz if you buy the ready washed greens (a bit expensive but worth it to save time) and just slice up some cucumbers and tomatoes and then pour the ready made dressing, it is so quick and easy. You can enjoy your salad right at home. Should eat more greens lah, girl :)

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    2. Eh, how I wish I am a princess like right now.. Then ahh, I can pack my bags and leave whenever I feel like it.. kekeke.. Whole day of today ahh, like not very "soon lei".. I seldom make mistakes at work, but I think I made one mistake today, small one la, but still, heart feeling "mm song"..

      Ok lah, I shall listen to you.. Will try to eat more greens.. I am lazy to make this dressing.. Maybe will just go get one bottle lor hor.. I can drink and swallow the whole dressing like water.. Buuurrpp...

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    3. Louiz, as long as it is a small mistake and not a serious one it should be OK. I know for people with OCD (even mild one, I also have a certain degree of it) we also stressed up over very small things, yes? Hey, don't drink the dressing lah. Must eat it with greens and some meat :)

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  2. Gotta KIV this. So tired of mayo...would love something different for a change.

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    1. Arthur, this salad dressing is highly recommended. I suggest you try it one of these weekends when Melissa is home. I guarantee your Mrs will love it too.

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  3. Hi Phong Hong, given your love for salads, you should probably give Nasi Lemak Lover's 'Japanese Miso & Carrot Salad Dressing' a go too. Looking at the ingredients, it appears to be another variation of this dressing you made.

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    1. Hi Ann! Thanks so much for reminding me! I did KIV Sonia's Japanese dressing but somehow I forgot about it. Yes, I will try it soon!

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  4. I saw this too on Jessie's page and have bookmarked it to try. Bought some salad ingredients, maybe make it this week!

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    1. Yen, you must try this dressing. It will be a winner with all at home especially so if you like the Kewpie dressing. It taste quite similar.

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  5. Sounds wonderfully yummy; with that roast pork added!

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  6. Hi Phong Hong,
    The salad dressing looks very good! Don't you just love it when you discovered something so yummy!
    Looks like I could finish the whole plate of salad too, though I love using bacon!
    Makes a perfect "guiltness" meal for lunch or even dinner!

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    1. Hi Joyce! I was very happy when I found this dressing. Whoo hoo! I am going to try your bacon one too hah...hah....any excuse to eat bacon!

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  7. I love Japanese dressing so does Emily I just 2 types of dressing and mix them together one is sesame and another can't remember l only put cucumber and tomatoe

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    1. EE, you must make this dressing for Emily. Guarantee sedap!

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  8. Hahaha, I know, my expression was like you when I tasted my friend's original salad dressing & I couldn't wait to share with a few of my gfs here. And very true, for whose who doesn't like salad, I think this particular recipe will change people's mind abt having salad. I have also tried the meat free version with sweet purple grapes & avocado & I bet it tastes good with some toasted walnuts too. I'm so glad that you like this dressing so much.

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    1. Jessie, I feel like giving you a bouquet of of red roses now! Hah...hah....you don't know how happy I was when I tasted the dressing. It was like finding gold! Yes, there are so many variations of greens and fruits and nuts to try it with. I shall get adventurous with the fantastic salad dressing. Thanks again, Jessie!

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  9. I like healthy salad like this, especially the dressing, yummy!

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    1. Esther, I saw your ayam percik this morning. Aiyoyo! I also want to make :D

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  10. Hi Phong Hong,

    I was complaining to Jessie that I question the kind of oil that the Jap sesame dressing that we bought. I wonder if it is the kind of good ones with trans fat free or lesser in saturated fat content... I wanted to make this too but must finish our 1L store-bought dressing first!!! The least we are half way through... Seeing yours being so rich and delicious, I can't wait to try this recipe too. I'm going to use Jap rice vinegar and rice bran oil to make mine :D

    Zoe

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    1. Hi Zoe! You are right to wonder if the ingredients used are good for our health, especially the oils. It is best to make our own salad dressing. This dressing is really eye-popping hah...hah...it is that good and I am sure you and your family will be wowed by it too!

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  11. It was the siew yoke which caught my attention at first glance :)) Siew yoke with japanese salad dressing? Very good idea, indeed! Must be delicious!

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    1. Hah...hah....calling all siew yoke lovers, eat more salad! Do try this dressing because it is very, very good!

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  12. Hi Phong Hong, I fell in love with this dressing too just looking at the pictures. Can I replace the brown rice vinegar with other types of organic vinegar? I like to try first before 'investing' in a bottle this vinegar. Very tempted to try thinking of the sesame aroma.

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    1. Hi Kimmy! I think if you use the normal rice vinegar it should be OK. I am using this particular brand of organic brown rice vinegar because I like the smell and taste. I don't usually use organic because though it is better but it is not so affordable hah...hah...I try to buy when there is special offer. Do try the dressing because it is really good.

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    2. Hi Phong Hong, I made this today. Unbelievable, it is so good even with 'agak-agak' measurements and there is a bottle of vinegar which I had that is made from brown rice. I didn't follow the whole portion of the ingredients cos' it may be too much for just 1 time serving for 3. I'll post this recipe after getting my hubby's feedback. Thanks.

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    3. Hi Kimmy! I am so glad you tried it, I am sure your hubby's feedback is positive!

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    4. Hi Phong Hong, thumbs up. My hubby eat the salad first before starting eating his rice. It's a keeper. Thanks.

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    5. See, everybody loves this dressing hee..hee...

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    6. BTW, did you miss out listing sesame seeds in the recipe?

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    7. Oh dear, yes I missed out! Already corrected. Thanks for notifying me, Kimmy!

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  13. HI Phong Hong, this dressing is very healthy and appetizing. Definitely a keeper too! am bookmarking it and will give this a try. Thanks of sharing and best regards :)

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    1. Hi Ivy! Yes, the dressing is healthy but the siew yoke is not hah...hah....

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  14. A good sesame dressing changes my mind about salads! Will try it sometime.

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    1. Mich, try it now! You will give it the thumbs up!

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  15. Phong Hong, I make all my salad dressing, especially ranch, Caesar, Italian, French, raspberry, and a few more, depending what kind of salads I make. I definitely want to add the healthy and super delicious Japanese sesame dressing. Love your salad, and the cute jar filled with the yummy dressing! Hugs,

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    1. Hi Elisabeth! Good for you and I bet all your salad dressings are lip smackingly good! Do try this Japanese style dressing. It is very refreshing and totally yums!

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  16. Since you highly recommended it, I shall give it a try! :)

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  17. This looks like a delicious dressing and salad!!! After our little spring break holiday, I need to lay off the sugar, too.

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    1. Hi Lizzy, yes it is time to eat more salads!

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  18. oh, i love this Japanese sesame dressing very much!! i would just go to the supermarket and grab a bottle from the shelf, haha.. never thought they used so many ingredients to do this, i thought just sesame and some seasoning, but you've got onions and garlic, and surprisingly carrot too!!
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    and i noticed you've got SIEW YOKE in your salad!! haha, that's nice!!!

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    1. SK, I guess it is a lot more convenient to buy the ready made one. But I get the thrill of making my own dressing and yes, siew yoke is great in Asian salads!

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  19. PH, I can't wait to try this out, you know how much I love salads. Am gonna hit the supermarket to get the ingredients tomorrow!

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    1. Esther, you must make this dressing! As a salad lover you are gonna love this and I bet your whole family will too.

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  20. I don't make nearly enough salad! I think I have only once made my own salad dressing. This looks divine!

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    1. Cathleen, it is time to eat more raw greens!

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  21. I love Japanese-style salad dressing too, they're usually very refreshing! Alamak, I'm hungry again!

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  22. Hi Phong Hong,
    You are right! This sesame salad dressing is truly fantabulous ,my Na Na(daughter) fell in love with it at first taste. After the dinner, she asked to buy more greens for the next day. Look how crazy she is!

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    1. Hi Aunty Young! Fantastic isn't it? I guess your family especially your daughter will be eating lots of salads with this dressing :)

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  23. Hi Phong Hong,
    Wow! This Japanese dressing sounds so so good!
    I must try too!
    mui

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    1. mui mui, please do try! I am sure you and your family will love this salad dressing and everyone will give it the thumbs up!

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  24. mak oi...i was thinking salad salad salad the see the photo...uiks why go siew yuk....drooooollll....yummy siew yukkkk

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    1. Heh..heh...cheating a bit lah...even though the salad on its own is very good, having siew yoke in it makes it excellent!

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