Recipes > Soy-Sesame Salad w/ Wild Mushrooms & Pomme Paille

Soy Sesame Salad W/ Wild Mushrooms & Pomme Paille

Details

Tender salad greens and sautéed wild mushrooms are tossed with a soy-sesame vinaigrette. Topped with crunchy shoestring potatoes, this outstanding salad was adapted from the Rim Rock Cafe in Whistler, B.C.
  • Serves: 4
  • Active Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 40 mins
  • Views: 41,784
  • Success Rating: 98% (?)
    0% - I fed it to the dog
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Steps

Step 1: Making the Vinaigrette

Making the Vinaigrette
  • 3 tbsp white or rice wine vinegar
  • 4 tbsp grapeseed oil or water
  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp mirin
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • sea salt, to taste
  • 1 tbsp white onion
  • 1 tbsp green onion**
  • 2 tsp sesame seeds*
  • freshly ground black pepper. to taste

Method

*Note: You do not have to toast the sesame seeds, but it does add a slightly nuttier flavor to the vinaigrette.

Heat a small pan over low heat and slowly toast the sesame seeds. Keep moving the seeds around so they color evenly. Remove from the pan once they are light golden in color.

To make the vinaigrette, finely grate the white onion and finely mince the green onion. **Note: Finely minced chives can be used instead of green onions.

Place the onions into a jar that has at least a 1-cup capacity and one that can be covered with a lid.

Measure and add the remaining ingredients (wine vinegar through to the sesame oil) to the jar. Cover and shake to emulsify. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Depending on how tart you like things, you may also want to add another tablespoon of oil and/or a few more drops of sesame oil. Add half of the toasted sesame seeds (save the rest for garnish) and shake to combine.

Step 2: Frying the Potato Sticks

Frying the Potato Sticks
  • 1 russet potato
  • 2 cups grapeseed oil (or other neutral oil for frying)
  • sea salt, to taste

Method

Place the oil into a high-sided medium pot and heat over medium heat.

In the meantime, wash and peel the potato. Julienne the potatoes with a knife. Alternatively, you can use a mandoline to cut the potatoes. Cut them width-wise (you want relatively short pieces) into matchsticks. If you have ever had them, you are basically looking for the potatoes to be about the size of Hickory Stixs – not too thick and not too thin.

Rinse the potatoes under cold water to remove the excess starch. Then place into a bowl of cold water so they do not brown.

Once the oil reaches approximately 375ºF (or 190ºC), test the oil with a couple of potato sticks. Make sure to dry them before adding them to the oil.

It is best to fry the potato sticks in batches. Remove a small handful of potatoes from the water and dry completely with paper towels. Lower the potatoes into the oil with a slotted spoon. Stir to break up the potatoes, if needed. Fry the potato sticks until crispy and golden, about 1 to 2 minutes or so. Be careful of any splattering oil. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel to drain. Season with a touch of salt while the potatoes are still hot.

Step 3: Prepping & Cooking the Mushrooms

Prepping & Cooking the Mushrooms
  • 1 lb mushrooms*
  • 2 tsp oil (grapseed or coconut)
  • lemon juice
  • sea salt, to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method

First clean the mushrooms. Slice any large mushrooms into bite-size pieces.

*Note: Wild mushrooms add great flavor and depth to this salad; however cremini or a mix of your favorite mushrooms would also be great.

Preheat a large, stainless-steel pan over medium-high heat. Once properly heated, add the oil, followed by the mushrooms. Squeeze a bit of lemon juice over top. Season with a bit of salt and pepper to taste. About half way through the cooking time, add the butter. Saute the mushrooms until nice and golden. Once done, remove and set aside.

Step 4: Assembling the Salad

Assembling the Salad
  • 8 oz mixed greens

Method

To assemble the salad, wash and spin dry the greens.

In a large bowl, toss the greens and mushrooms with some of the vinaigrette until they are just lightly but evenly coated. Be careful not to use too much dressing or it will be too overpowering. Use less to start, you can always add more, if needed.

Divide evenly among your serving plates. Top with the crispy potato sticks and serve immediately.

Chef's Notes

If you haven’t had the pleasure of going to the Rim Rock Cafe in Whistler, B.C., you should make it point of going. It is a fantastic restaurant with exceptional food and equally great service.

6 Comments

  • Judi G
    Judi G
    Tried this tonight with great friends. AMAZING. Everybody loved it. I have to print the recipe for them now.... I just did the mushrooms and tossed it into some greens; nothing else and it was fabulous. What a great find; thanks so much for sharing.
  • Dawn T
    Dawn T
    The vinaigrette for this salad is so good that I literally dream about it sometimes. It is so good in fact, that I often double or triple the recipe so I can use it throughout the week. I am so happy that I have some in my refrigerator right now :-)
  • Leigh S
    Leigh S
    Made this for lunch today, and it paired beautifully with roasted chicken thighs, pickled green beans, and spinach pie. I really can't recall when we've had such a diverse, but truly enjoyable lunch. Thanks for the recipe. I have uploaded a photo of the final result.
  • Dawn T
    Dawn T
    So glad that you liked it Leigh. I know this salad — the vinaigrette in particular, is one of our favorites, and it's surprisingly quick to make (again, the vinaigrette, not the whole salad). Cheers!
  • Arwa A
    Arwa A
    What's the best non-alcoholic Substitute for miring?
  • Lauren L
    Lauren L
    Hi Arwa! As far as this recipe goes, it is such a small amount you could simply omit it. Mirin is hard to replicate exactly- it is sweet and acidic. In general when replacing Mirin, I would combine a little rice vinegar and a bit of agave. Hope that helps. Happy cooking. Lauren

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