This Asian chicken chopped salad is loaded with fresh vegetables and tossed with spicy peanut dressing. It's healthy and is the perfect make ahead meal. It's also dairy and egg-free.
It still feels surreal. When I packed my weekender bag to head down to Houston, little did I know that on the very same day, I would lose the man I had called “appa” (daddy in Korean) for the past 7 years.
Even though we all knew of the unstoppable progression of the heartless cancer cells (may we never meet again!) rampaging throughout his body, nothing could’ve prepared us for that moment…the moment when he looked at his bride with the most expressive and loving eyes for the very last time. Having expelled his last bit of energy, his eyelids then fell heavy.
Soon the sound of monitor alarms filled the room, and my sisters-in-law, sobbing with desperation in their voices, began announcing, “His heart rate is dropping..it’s dropping…” It happened all too quickly.
And just like that we found ourselves waiting for the doctor to pronounce his death. He was 72 years young and months shy from celebrating a 50 year wedding anniversary with his faithful wife.
As the nurse took out his central IV line and the countless other lines he was attached to, my MIL told her, “He was a good husband.” And a great father and the most God-fearing man I’ve known. He’s no longer with us on this earth, but we rejoice in the fact that he’s finally in the arms of his Heavenly Father; the One he surrendered and devoted his entire life to.
That absolute certainty is what’s keeping all of us going…that and the tremendous outpouring of love from the people whose lives he touched (and there were a lot of them..we had about a 100 car motorcade to the burial site).
We're able to go on about our days just as we had done before because we know this isn’t the end. We shall all be reunited again someday, but until then, he will truly be missed.
Photo: Taken several months ago but seems like yesterday. We joked about how we resembled Candy Crush. I wore the exact same color as my FIL (swear it wasn't planned!). His hair had turned white from the chemo at this time.
So the day before I left for Houston, I made this Asian chopped salad tossed in a rich, creamy, and spicy peanut dressing. Boy, am I thankful for my proactive nature or else I would be eating cereal all week long (not that that would've necessarily been a bad thing 😉 ).
This dish is not hard to prepare by any means. However, it does require a lot of prep work. You see where this is going, don't you?
Everyone has at least 30 minutes of free time at some point during the week (or so I hope), so let's use that time wisely and do some serious rinsing, shredding, and chopping. Once that's done, all there's left to do is make the dressing (takes like 10 seconds to make), toss everything together & place in a container, and keep in the fridge to be enjoyed throughout the week.
Check out my Meal Prep Tips, if interested!
I had some roasted chicken on hand that I ended up tossing in at the last minute for that extra staying power, but feel free to use whatever protein source you have, whether it's tofu, salmon, hard-boiled eggs, etc..
Asian Chopped Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped napa cabbage
- 2 cups chopped red cabbage
- ½ cup peeled and grated carrots
- ½ cup peeled and grated broccoli stem
- ½ cup chopped green onions
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- 1-2 cups diced chicken breast
For the Spicy Peanut Dressing
- ⅓ cup smooth peanut butter
- ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sriracha chili sauce
- 1 large garlic clove, pressed or minced
- water, if need to thin
Instructions
- For the salad: In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients
- For the dressing: Add all the ingredients in a food processor/blender and blend until well combined. Add water to your desired thickness.
- Cover and refrigerate the salad and the dressing separately.
- Toss in the dressing right before serving.
Nutrition
I dedicate this fresh and vibrant salad to my appa who would've licked this bowl clean. I miss you like crazy.
Ashley says
This looks like an awesome salad! Looking forward to trying it. Found it via Pinterest.. and now I'm subscribing to your blog! 🙂
Min says
Thank you so much! I can't wait for you to try ;). It's lovely to connect with you! Heading over to your site right now
Maggie says
I'm sorry for your loss and thanks for sharing your story.
This salad is obsoletely what I need for tomorrow's dinner. The sauce looks amazing and I think it will great with noodles too.
Hope you have a great week ahead!
Min says
Thank you, Maggie. Yes, it would be tasty with noodles. I'm thinking soba noodles ;). Hope you have an awesome week as well!
Joanne says
Girl, I am so so so sorry for your loss. I lost my dad to cancer two years ago and it is the worst. Thinking of you and your family during this time!!
Hoping this salad nourishes you and gives you even the slightest bit of comfort. The peanut sauce dressing sounds divine!
Min says
Thank you, Joanne, for sharing your personal story. It seriously is the worst! I didn't know I was capable of feeling so many emotions in such a short span of time.
This salad is now gone and I'm back to eating cereal...
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
This is my kind of salad - I love cold Asian salads in hot weather. Beautiful photos!
Min says
Thank you, Jeanette!
ellie @ fit for the soul says
Ahhh, thank you for checking back with us! I was checking up on you guys hoping that all would be....as okay as it can be. *sigh* I just can't imagine how much courage it took to even start writing and posting again! I mean, going back to life sounds like such a daunting and strange task, and when I think about having to do that someday in the future (hopefully not soon), I get so nervous. But knowing that your Appa is with the Lord singing praises to Him is such a beautiful picture. It's sad to see our lives here come to an end, but so glad that there's hope....<33
Min says
I guess I couldn't stay away from this blog for too long ;). I like to keep myself super busy during trying times and this blog certainly helps with that. It took me a really really long time to write this one though. Yes, appa is with his Father now, and that's worth celebrating!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
I have been thinking of you and Tim since I read your post last week. From what I have read with your beautiful words, it sounds like your FIL was a wonderful man! Sending big hugs your way! Hope you have a great week!
Min says
Hello friend! I've missed you! I'm now finally starting to get back into the swings of things. Thank you for all your thoughts and warm hugs ;). Yay it's almost Friday!!
Trisha says
So sorry for your loss. Always inspired by marriages and men like that though. Also, this salad is beautiful! I adore peanut dressing!
Min says
Thank you, Trisha. His love for his bride of nearly 50 years was and is unlike any other. Peanut dressing is pretty amazing stuff, right? Hope you're having a wonderful week!
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
I feel teary just reading this post - so can only imagine how things are for you. Loss is so difficult. It sounds like he had a wonderful life, and that he was a truly wonderful man. I am glad you were with him for those final moments.
Min says
Thanks, my dear Kari! He truly was a special man. As I heard the monitors go off, I started freaking out and told Tim I needed to step out. However, my body refused to move..it was the weirdest feeling. Deep down, I knew I needed to stay by his side. I'm glad I did..that we all did.
Matt Robinson says
What a sweet post, Min. I love that you shared that. Hope you all have a great Memorial Day. Thank you for this great recipe.
Min says
Thank you so much, Matt. This was a very difficult post to write, but at the same time, I'm glad I have this blog where I can somewhat unleash my emotions from time to time. Hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day with your beautiful family!