Chinese Cold Celery Slices
Crisp, vibrant, and irresistibly refreshing, Chinese Cold Celery Slices are the perfect mix of simplicity and flavor. This quick side dish showcases tender, blanched celery infused with a savory-sweet dressing made of toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and minced garlic, complemented by a touch of heat from crushed red chili flakes. Ideal as a light appetizer or a cooling palate cleanser, this recipe keeps the natural crunch of celery intact while enhancing its taste with a tangy and aromatic kick. Ready in just minutes, it’s a low-calorie, vegan-friendly dish that’s easy to prepare and perfect for summer or serving alongside hearty meals. Garnish with sesame seeds for a touch of nuttiness and serve chilled for maximum flavor and freshness.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams celery stalks
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1.5 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 0.5 teaspoon sugar
- 2 cloves garlic cloves (minced)
- 0.25 teaspoon crushed dried red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Wash and trim the celery stalks. Remove the tough outer strings using a vegetable peeler if desired.
Cut the celery into thin, diagonal slices about 1/4-inch thick to maximize surface area and crunch.
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and blanch the celery slices for 1 to 2 minutes until they turn bright green and slightly tender but still crisp.
Immediately transfer the blanched celery to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and maintain its crunch. Let it cool for 3-5 minutes.
Drain the celery thoroughly and pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
In a small bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, light soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, and red chili flakes to create the dressing.
In a mixing bowl, toss the celery slices with the prepared dressing until evenly coated.
Transfer the celery to a serving plate or bowl. Optionally, sprinkle with white sesame seeds for garnish.
Serve immediately as a refreshing appetizer or refrigerate for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
212 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 15.6 g | 20% | |
| Saturated Fat | 2.4 g | 12% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3982 mg | 173% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 15.2 g | 6% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.3 g | 19% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.5 g | ||
| Protein | 4.4 g | 9% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 150 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 1.4 mg | 8% | |
| Potassium | 876 mg | 19% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
