Persimmon Salad with Sesame Vinaigrette

Name: Persimmon Salad with Sesame Vinaigrette
Prep time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil; 2 medium garlic cloves, coarsely chopped; 1/4 cup olive oil; 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 2 medium limes); 2 tablespoons mirin; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon white miso; 1 anchovy fillet; 1 teaspoon granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds; 1 red Thai chile, seeds and ribs removed and finely chopped; 1/2 teaspoon togarashi; 2 pounds Fuyu persimmons, peeled and cut into 1-inch wedges; 4 medium Roma tomatoes (about 1 pound), cored and cut into 1-inch wedges; 1/2 medium red onion, very thinly sliced; 2 cups vegetable oil; 1/4 cup rice flakes; Kosher salt; 2 cups frisée leaves (from about 1 bunch); 2 cups watercress, tough stems removed (from about 1 bunch); 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves; 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

Salad Persimmons Manhattan Christmas Thanksgiving Dinner Party Soy Sauce Olive Oil Vegetable Oil Lime Juice Basil Cilantro Garlic Tomatoes Watercress Side Dish Sugar Dressings Fall Pescatarian Easy

Save (49)

Rate

6 servings Easy

Total: 40 mins

0 Ratings

Ingredients (22)

For the dressing:

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
2 medium garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 2 medium limes)
2 tablespoons mirin
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon white miso
1 anchovy fillet
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
1 red Thai chile, seeds and ribs removed and finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon togarashi

For the salad:

2 pounds Fuyu persimmons, peeled and cut into 1-inch wedges
4 medium Roma tomatoes (about 1 pound), cored and cut into 1-inch wedges
1/2 medium red onion, very thinly sliced
2 cups vegetable oil
1/4 cup rice flakes
Kosher salt
2 cups frisée leaves (from about 1 bunch)
2 cups watercress, tough stems removed (from about 1 bunch)
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

Try Amazon Fresh

Get fresh food news delivered to your inbox

Admittedly, there are a lot of ingredients in this recipe, but it comes together quickly and the outcome is a harmonious and tasty salad from Chef Marcus Samuelsson. The dressing is mixed in a blender, and then the persimmons, tomatoes, and onion marinate in it for a brief time. Meanwhile, flat rice flakes are shallow-fried until puffy and crispy. The final assembly of the salad is a composed layering of the persimmon mixture, greens, and herbs with a final sprinkling of the puffed rice flakes for crunch.

What to buy: We used Fuyu persimmons in this recipe, which are crunchy and flat-bottomed. Do not confuse them with Hachiya persimmons, which have an elongated shape and are astringent if not completely ripened and soft.

Miso is a Japanese culinary staple made by fermenting rice, barley, or, most commonly, soy. The two main types are white (or shiro) miso, which has a sweet, mild flavor, and red (or aka) miso, which is aged and has a salty, umami flavor. You can find miso paste refrigerated at most grocery stores.

Togarashi powder, a Japanese mixture of spices that always contains chiles, can be found in ethnic markets. (It may also be labeled shichimi togarashi.) Or you can make your own.

Rice flakes—rice that is either white or dyed green and then parboiled, rolled flat, and dried—puff up and turn crispy when fried. They’re available at Asian grocery stores, but if you can’t find them, skip the frying and just sprinkle the salad with plain puffed rice instead.

Adapted from "New American Table" by Marcus Samuelsson

Tips for Christmas

Tip

Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25?

There are several reasons Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. The date is nine months after March 25, a day recognized by Christians as Annunciation. It was the day Mary was told she would was having a baby. The nine months that follow are an approximation of Jesus’ birth. Dec. 25 also coincides with pagan Winter Solstice celebrations like Saturnalia' and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Since they were historically celebrated around that time of year there was precedent for holiday festivities during this time of year.

1 of 3

Next: What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?

Tip

What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?

Christmas is a shortened from the words “Christ’s mass.” It’s derived from the Middle English word "Cristemasse" which has Greek, Hebrew and Latin origins. Christmas is an annual holiday that honors the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by Christians around the world and is regarded as an important religious and cultural holiday.

2 of 3

Next: How Can We Celebrate Christmas?

Tip

How Can We Celebrate Christmas?

Christmas is traditionally celebrated in many ways and celebrations vary across cultures. In the days leading up to Christmas, people usually put up special decorations including colorful lights and evergreen trees. Gifts are often placed under the tree and exchanged on Christmas day among loved ones. Large meals are also typically served as part of the celebration as well.

3 of 3

Next: Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25?

Instructions

For the dressing:

1Heat the sesame oil in a small frying pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Scrape the oil and the garlic into a blender.
2Add the olive oil, lime juice, mirin, soy sauce, miso, anchovy, and sugar and blend until smooth. Remove to a small bowl, add the sesame seeds, chile, and togarashi, and stir to combine; set aside.

For the salad:

1Place the persimmons, tomatoes, and onion in a large, nonreactive bowl, add 1/2 cup of the dressing, and toss gently to coat; set aside. Meanwhile, fry the rice flakes.
2Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until a rice flake dropped into it puffs immediately, about 8 minutes. Meanwhile, line a large plate with paper towels and set aside.
3When the oil is ready, add the rice flakes and fry, stirring until puffed and crisp, about 15 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, remove to the paper-towel-lined plate, season with salt, and set aside.
4Transfer the marinated persimmon mixture to a serving platter. Place the frisée, watercress, basil, and cilantro in the bowl the persimmon mixture was in, drizzle with a few tablespoons of the remaining dressing, season with salt, and toss to combine. Taste and add more dressing or salt as needed. Mound the frisée mixture over the persimmons, garnish with the puffed rice, and serve immediately.

Load Comments

Recommended from Chowhound

Take 5: The Best West Village Eats Near Stonewall for Pride

(11:55)

Video from Take 5

For this episode of Take 5, we're celebrating Pride! Join host Joey Skladany as he takes us to NYC's historic Stonewall Inn and five nearby hot spots for the ultimate guide to West Village dining.