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Make-Ahead Salad Perfect For Picnic

Charlotte Balcomb Lane Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service

If you were forced to choose between an easy, high-fat recipe or a complicated, low-fat one, you might be tempted to go for the fat.

Fortunately, you don’t always have to choose between nutrition and convenience. With this recipe for Easy Asian-Style Salad you can enjoy a delicious meal, make-ahead convenience and a substantial reduction in fat.

With its sweet-and-sour dressing, spiked with the nutty flavor of toasted sesame oil, this salad is always a popular offering. It’s simple to pack for picnics or potluck suppers, and no one but the cook has to know how easy it is it make.

Easy Asian-Style Salad

2 cups frozen green peas

2 cups frozen extra-sweet corn kernels

1 (14-ounce) can bean sprouts, drained

1 (4.5-ounce) jar sliced mushrooms, drained

1 (8-ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained

1 (4-ounce) jar chopped pimento, drained

1 cup chopped fresh celery

1 onion, peeled and chopped (about 1-1/4 cups)

1 large red or green bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped

1/4 cup canola oil

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard

1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons Asian-style toasted sesame seed oil

1 clove garlic, crushed through a press

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Combine the frozen peas and corn, bean sprouts, mushrooms, water chestnuts, pimento, celery, onion and red or green bell pepper in a large bowl. Toss well to combine.

In a 2-cup measuring cup, combine the canola oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, mustard, soy sauce, toasted sesame seed oil, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper. Stir well until sugar has dissolved.

Pour dressing over vegetables and toss well to combine. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Serve chilled.

Yield: 14 servings.

Nutrition information per serving: 160 calories, 4 grams protein, 25 grams carbohydrate, 6.7 grams fat (38 percent fat calories), no cholesterol, 187 milligrams sodium.

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