In the summer sun, a plate of refreshing Cold Tossed Celtuce greets us like a gentle breeze, instantly captivating our senses. Its vibrant color resembles the lush greenery found in the mountains, offering a cool respite during the scorching summer days. The tender and juicy texture of bamboo shoots releases a natural freshness with every bite. The addition of vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, and other seasonings elevates this dish, adding depth and creating a lingering flavor that leaves one wanting more.
Ingredients for Cold Tossed Celtuce：
| Celtuce | 400g |
| Red pepper | 50g |
| Garlic | 20g |
| Salt | 2g |
| Light soy sauce | 5g |
| Dark soy sauce | 2g |
| Aromatic vinegar | 5g |
| Chili Oil | 5g |
| Sesame oil | 3g |
Step:
1.To prepare this delicious Cold Tossed Celtuce, start by selecting a fresh celtuce. Carefully peel off the outer skin to reveal the tender interior. Remove the root section and cut the celtuce into evenly sized segments. Next, slice each segment into thin slices with precision and uniformity. Then, finely julienne each slice into thin strips. This step requires patience and attention to ensure consistent length for each strip.
2.Take one red pepper and remove the seeds. Place the chili pepper on a cutting board and gently scrape along the contours of the seeds with the tip of a knife, then scoop them out. Removing the seeds will enhance the vibrant color of the pepper. Prepare three plump garlic cloves by placing them on the cutting board and flattening them with the back of a knife. While flattening, press down on the garlic with the knife and pull it back to create small even pieces, preventing any garlic from sticking to the knife or flying around. Finally, chop the flattened garlic into minced pieces. These minced garlic and red pepper strips will be used for garnishing and seasoning, adding visual appeal and flavor to the dish.
3.Blanch the celtuce and red pepper strips in boiling water briefly. Heat some vegetable oil in a pot and pour it over the celtuce and red pepper strips. The hot oil will adhere to the ingredients, creating a barrier that prevents nutrient loss and enhances color. Afterward, pour the boiling water into the pot and blanch the celtuce and red pepper strips for 20 seconds. Drain the celtuce and rinse it quickly with cold water to cool it down. This will make it crisper and more refreshing. It is important not to exceed the 20-second blanching time
4.In a separate mixing bowl, put an appropriate amount of minced garlic, which is an essential seasoning for cold dishes, adding aroma and flavor. Add two grams of salt to enhance the taste of the dressing. Then, add 5 grams of light soy sauce and 2 grams of dark soy sauce for color and flavor. Add 5 grams of balsamic vinegar, 5 grams of sesame oil, and 3 grams of chili oil to make the dressing more savory and spicy. Finally, mix all the seasonings thoroughly until well combined.
5.Once the dressing is fully incorporated, pour it over the prepared celtuce strips in a bowl. The celtuce strips should be neatly julienned on the cutting board before transferring them to the bowl. Pour the dressing over the celtuce strips and mix thoroughly with chopsticks or hands, ensuring that each strip is evenly coated. After mixing, plate the Cold Tossed Celtuce and it is ready to be enjoyed.
Tips:
1.According to personal taste, you can choose seasoning ingredients such as vinegar and soy sauce to enhance the flavor. You can experiment with different ratios of seasonings to find the combination that best suits your taste.
2.After cutting the celtuce into thin strips, add a moderate amount of salt and a little white sugar for marination. The marinating time is approximately 10-15 minutes, which helps make the celtuce more tender, crisp, and removes some bitterness.
Cold Tossed Celtuce is not only a delicious dish but also a way of life. Throughout the cooking process, we can feel the gifts of nature and the harmony between food and ourselves. Tasting this dish, it seems to momentarily help us forget the scorching heat of summer and brings about a sense of tranquility and beauty. It perfectly combines the freshness of nature with a mellow texture, becoming a beautiful scenery on our dining tables.