Tiger salad (Lao Hu Cai) is a salad from Northern China that combines cilantro, cucumber, green onions, and green chili peppers. Its bold and fresh flavors are said to stimulate the appetite or cleanse the palate between dishes. It’s a very simple salad to throw together while packing a lot of flavors. You can also replace the chili peppers with bell peppers for a tamed tiger salad.
On the Ingredients
- Cilantro is what we in the US usually call the leaves of coriander plant. Of all herbs and spices, cilantro is known for having two separate groups of people, those who like it and those who think it tastes like soap. While tastes and preferences are highly individual, the differing opinion of cilantro actually has a genetic component. Most people report cilantro as having a fresh citrus flavor, while a smaller faction taste and smell a soapy quality that is rather unpleasant (read more). If you’re one of these people and have been told you’re wrong for claiming the taste, rest assured that your flavor receptors are built differently. Meanwhile, if the taste is pleasantly citrusy to you, you can be happy to enjoy some health benefits of cilantro. Research has shown that cilantro may help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and seizure severity. It may also help with energy levels and healthy hair and skin (read more on the benefits).
- Scallions are a member of the Allium genus, which includes bulb onions, leeks, shallots, and chives. Scallions are milder than other onions, with a fresh, sharp, somewhat peppery flavor. It pairs well with rich foods like meat and cheese.
- Chilies are a type of pepper that are spicy, due to capsaicin, a compound found in them. Capsaicin has a lot of interesting possible health benefits, like boosting the metabolism, pain relief, preventing stomach ulcers, and perhaps even fighting cancer. (Read more on the health benefits).
- Sesame oil is one of the earliest-known crop-based oils. Sesames were cultivated for oil during the Indus Valley civilization, a Bronze Age civilization in South Asia. Sesame oil comes in regular and toasted varieties. Oil made from uncooked sesame seeds is pale yellow and has a mildly nutty flavor and grain-like aroma. It’s used for frying and during the cooking process. Oil made from toasted sesame seeds is rich, amber in color, and more aromatic. It’s usually added towards the end of the recipe as a flavoring agent.
Tiger Salad
4
servings15
minutes15
minutesTiger salad (Lao Hu Cai) is a salad from Northern China that combines cilantro, cucumber, green onions, and green chili peppers. Its bold and fresh flavors are said to stimulate the appetite or cleanse the palate between dishes. It's a very simple salad to throw together while packing a lot of flavors. You can also replace the chili peppers with bell peppers for a tamed tiger salad.
Ingredients
2 cups chopped cilantro
1 English cucumber (sliced)
1-2 jalapeños (thinly sliced) OR serrano peppers for higher heat
4 stalks of celery (sliced)
4 scallions (chopped)
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sugar OR monk fruit sweetener
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp soy sauce
3 tbsp chopped roasted peanuts
2 tbsp toasted sesames
Directions
- In a salad bowl, combine the cilantro, cucumber, peppers, celery, and scallions.
- In a small bowl, combine the sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar, salt, and soy sauce. Add the dressing to the salad and toss to distribute evenly.
- Top with chopped peanuts and sesame seeds. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Nutritional Info Per serving (approx. 4 serving)
Unmodified recipe:
102 Calories
3g Protein
7g Total Fat
7g Carbs
Recipe with sugar substitute:
98 Calories
3g Protein
7g Total Fat
6g Carbs
