The combination of peppery arugula and sweet, juicy strawberries is a match made in heaven. Add in the crunch of chili toasted pepitas and nuttiness of sesame seeds, and you have a salad that is both satisfying and delicious.
But the real star of this dish is the Galangal Vinaigrette. Galangal is a root that is similar in taste to ginger but has a more floral and citrusy flavor. When combined with rice vinegar, honey, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper, it creates a zesty, tangy, and slightly sweet vinaigrette that perfectly complements the flavors of the salad.
Not only is this salad tasty, but it’s also packed with nutrients. Arugula is a great source of vitamins A, C, and K, while strawberries are loaded with antioxidants and fiber. Pepitas are an excellent source of healthy fats and protein, and sesame seeds are rich in calcium, iron, and magnesium.
Ingredients:
- 6 cups arugula
- 1 pint strawberries, sliced
- 1/2 cup chili toasted pepitas (recipe below)
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup Galangal Vinaigrette (recipe below)
Chili Toasted Pepitas:
- 1 cup raw pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Galangal Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp minced fresh galangal
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Directions:
- To make the chili toasted pepitas, preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, mix together the pepitas, olive oil, chili powder, and salt. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pepitas are lightly browned and crispy. Set aside to cool.
- To make the galangal vinaigrette, in a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, honey, galangal, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously until the vinaigrette is emulsified.
- In a large bowl, combine the arugula, sliced strawberries, chili toasted pepitas, and sesame seeds. Drizzle the galangal vinaigrette over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
- Serve the strawberry arugula salad immediately and enjoy!
Note: Galangal is a root that is similar in taste to ginger but has a more floral and citrusy flavor. If you cannot find fresh galangal, you can substitute ginger in the vinaigrette recipe.