Simple Vegan Water Spinach Salad Recipe

Vegan water spinach salad is a light, nutritious dish that’s easy to make at home. With the distinctive crunch of water spinach combined with crispy vegan spare ribs, this dish is perfect not only for vegetarian days but also a great addition to your family’s meal plan. Let’s explore how to make this simple vegan water spinach salad right away!

Preparation

• Prep time: 25 minutes
• Cooking time: 20 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• Water spinach: 1 kg
• Vegan spare ribs: 100 grams
• Lemons: 2
• Chili sauce: 1 teaspoon
• Vinegar: 3 tablespoons
• Cooking oil: 200 ml
• Common seasonings: Salt, sugar, MSG

Fresh ingredients for vegan water spinach salad
alt: Fresh ingredients for vegan water spinach salad

How to Choose Fresh Water Spinach

To make your salad more appealing, pay attention to selecting fresh water spinach:

• Choose spinach with a light green color, shiny leaves, and no signs of wilting.
• Avoid mature spinach with many flowers or leaves turning dark green, as they will not be as crunchy and lose their flavor.
• Young spinach, neither too long nor too short, will help maintain the ideal crunch in your salad.

Steps to Follow

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Clean the water spinach, wash it with diluted lemon water or a specialized vegetable wash. Then, break the longer stems in half to make them easier to eat. Handle gently to avoid bruising the spinach.

Soak the vegan spare ribs in cold water for about 30-40 minutes to soften. Squeeze out the water and rinse them 5-6 times with clean water to remove any dirt. Then, tear the ribs into smaller pieces and marinate them with 1/2 teaspoon of MSG and 2 teaspoons of salt for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Preparing ingredients for vegan water spinach salad
alt: Process of preparing ingredients for vegan water spinach salad

Step 2: Mix the Salad Dressing

In a small bowl, dissolve 1.5 teaspoons of sugar, 3 tablespoons of vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir until the mixture is completely dissolved. Next, add 1 teaspoon of chili sauce and stir again. If you like, you can add some chopped chili to enhance the spicy flavor.

Mixing dressing for vegan water spinach salad
alt: Process of mixing dressing for vegan water spinach salad

Step 3: Fry the Vegan Spare Ribs

Heat a pan over medium heat, add about 200ml of cooking oil, and heat until it starts to shimmer. Add the marinated vegan spare ribs and fry until golden and crispy. Remove them from the oil and let them drain. Allow them to cool slightly before using.

Frying vegan spare ribs for water spinach salad
alt: Frying crispy vegan spare ribs for the salad

Step 4: Toss the Salad

Place the prepared water spinach in a large bowl, pour the salad dressing over it evenly. Gently toss the spinach to ensure it is well coated with the dressing without crushing it. Finally, arrange the crispy vegan spare ribs on top of the salad for an attractive finish.

Presenting the vegan water spinach salad
alt: Beautifully presented vegan water spinach salad

Final Product

The vegan water spinach salad, with its crunchy and refreshing taste, is sure to satisfy your family. The fresh, crisp water spinach combined with the sweet and tangy dressing and the crispy vegan spare ribs creates an irresistible appeal. You can serve it with rice crackers to enhance the flavor.

Conclusion

The simple vegan water spinach salad recipe not only offers a delicious meal but is also packed with nutrients. Try this recipe to make a vegan water spinach salad for your family! Don’t forget to share your results in the comments below.

References:

• Images and recipe from the YouTube channel Nguyễn Hồng Thanh
• Edited by Nguyễn Thị Anh Thảo (Updated 06/04/2023)