Welcome to a culinary journey that brings vibrant Asian flavors right to your dinner table in a remarkably quick and easy way! Today, we’re thrilled to partner with Gorton’s Seafood to present a recipe that’s destined to become a new family favorite: a delightful Asian Chopped Salad with a zesty Garlic Sesame Vinaigrette, perfectly complemented by their delicious Sweet Chili Pollock Tenders. This combination isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of fresh ingredients, bold tastes, and effortless preparation, making it an ideal solution for those busy weeknights when you crave something truly satisfying yet simple.

Forget bland and boring salads! Our Asian Chopped Salad is a masterpiece of texture and color, featuring crisp, fresh vegetables finely chopped and tossed with a homemade vinaigrette that sings with the aromatic notes of soy sauce, pungent garlic, and nutty toasted sesame seeds. The magic truly happens when this vibrant salad meets Gorton’s Wild-Caught Pollock Tenders. My husband and I are absolutely infatuated with sweet chili sauce, so when we discovered these tenders, we knew instantly they would be a massive hit. The sweet and tangy glaze on the tender fish provides an incredible counterpoint to the fresh, crunchy salad, creating a balanced and utterly addictive flavor profile.

What makes this dish truly special, beyond its incredible taste, is its universal appeal. While we adults were undeniably smitten, our kiddos devoured it too! This rarely happens with every meal, so when it does, you know you’ve struck gold. This makes our Asian Chopped Salad with Sweet Chili Pollock Tenders a genuinely family-friendly dish that caters to a wide range of palates, ensuring everyone at the table leaves happy and well-fed.

The Perfect Pairing: Sweet Chili Pollock Tenders from Gorton’s Seafood

At the heart of this fantastic weeknight meal are Gorton’s Wild-Caught Pollock Tenders with Sweet Chili Sauce. Gorton’s has long been a trusted name in seafood, and for good reason. Their commitment to sustainably sourced, wild-caught fish means you’re getting a high-quality product that’s not only delicious but also responsibly harvested. These Pollock tenders are incredibly convenient, going from freezer to plate in minutes, making them an indispensable ingredient for busy evenings.

The sweet chili sauce that coats these tenders is a game-changer. It strikes that perfect balance of sweetness, tanginess, and a subtle hint of spice that truly elevates the fish. This Asian-inspired flavor profile makes them an ideal companion to our chopped salad, where the freshness of the vegetables and the savory vinaigrette create a beautiful harmony. The crisp texture of the tenders also adds an exciting contrast to the tender salad components, ensuring every bite is engaging and flavorful. When planning your next grocery run, look for Gorton’s Wild-Caught Pollock Tenders – they’re a convenient and delicious way to incorporate more seafood into your diet.

Crafting the Irresistible Asian Chopped Salad

The beauty of this salad lies in its simplicity and the fresh, crisp textures of its components. For this particular Asian Chopped Salad, I chose a combination of vegetables that offer a fantastic balance of crunch, color, and nutrients. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building a salad that’s both satisfying and incredibly flavorful.

A Symphony of Fresh Vegetables

• Romaine Lettuce: The foundation of our salad, Romaine lettuce provides a wonderfully crisp and refreshing base. Its sturdy leaves hold up well to dressing and add a satisfying crunch to every forkful, while also delivering essential vitamins and minerals.
• Red Cabbage: Adding a vibrant pop of color and an extra layer of crunch, chopped red cabbage is not just pretty; it’s packed with antioxidants and offers a slightly peppery flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
• Carrots: Sliced thinly into sticks, carrots bring a natural sweetness and a firm texture. They’re also an excellent source of beta-carotene, important for vision and overall health. Their bright orange hue adds another visual appeal to the dish.
• Red Bell Pepper: Sweet and juicy, a chopped red bell pepper contributes a lovely sweetness and a boost of Vitamin C. Its vibrant red color further enhances the salad’s visual appeal, making it truly appetizing.
• Green Onions: Finely chopped green onions (scallions) provide a mild, fresh onion flavor that ties all the ingredients together. They add a subtle zing without being overpowering, perfecting the overall taste profile.

When preparing the salad, the key is to chop all the vegetables into relatively uniform, bite-sized pieces. This ensures that every forkful offers a medley of flavors and textures, making for a more enjoyable eating experience. Simply toss all these vibrant ingredients together in a large mixing bowl, and you’re halfway to a sensational meal!

The Secret to Success: Garlic Sesame Vinaigrette

No salad is complete without the perfect dressing, and our homemade Garlic Sesame Vinaigrette is truly the star that brings all the Asian flavors to life. It’s incredibly easy to prepare and can even be made ahead of time, saving you precious minutes when dinner time rolls around.

The primary flavors in this vinaigrette are, as the name suggests, robust garlic and fragrant toasted sesame seeds. The garlic adds a pungent, savory depth, while the toasted sesame seeds introduce a warm, nutty aroma that is characteristic of many Asian cuisines. Because the Gorton’s Sweet Chili Pollock Tenders come with a naturally sweet glaze, I intentionally omitted brown sugar from my vinaigrette recipe. This ensures that the overall dish isn’t overly sweet, allowing the natural flavors of the vegetables and the savory notes of the dressing to shine through.

To prepare the vinaigrette, simply combine the olive oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar for a slightly different tang), minced garlic, black pepper, and toasted sesame seeds in a medium Mason jar. Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously until all the ingredients are well combined and emulsified. This method is quick, creates minimal mess, and makes for easy storage. Remember to give it another good shake just before serving to ensure everything is perfectly blended!

Why This Dish is a Weeknight Winner

Beyond its delicious taste, this Asian Chopped Salad with Sweet Chili Pollock Tenders offers numerous advantages for anyone looking to create flavorful, wholesome meals without spending hours in the kitchen:

• Speed and Simplicity: The preparation is incredibly straightforward. While the fish tenders bake to crispy perfection, you can quickly chop your vegetables and whisk together the vinaigrette. The entire meal can be on the table in about 15-20 minutes.
• Healthy and Balanced: This dish is packed with fresh vegetables, lean protein from the pollock, and healthy fats from the olive oil and sesame seeds. It’s a well-rounded meal that nourishes your body without sacrificing flavor.
• Family-Friendly: As mentioned, this recipe has passed the ultimate test: kid approval! The sweet and savory flavors are generally appealing to children, and the chopped nature of the salad makes it easy for little ones to eat.
• Vibrant and Appetizing: The array of colors from the red cabbage, green onions, carrots, and bell pepper makes this salad a feast for the eyes, proving that healthy food can also be beautiful.
• Meal Prep Potential: Both the chopped vegetables and the vinaigrette can be prepared a day or two in advance and stored separately in the refrigerator. This allows for even faster assembly when hunger strikes. Just combine and dress when ready to serve!

More Delicious Recipes to Explore

If you’ve fallen in love with the vibrant flavors and ease of this Asian Chopped Salad, we have more delightful recipes featuring Gorton’s Seafood products and other Asian-inspired dishes that you’re sure to enjoy. Expand your culinary repertoire with these fantastic ideas:

• Shrimp Scampi with Peppers and Spinach with Gorton’s Simply Bake Shrimp Classic Scampi
• Crispy Fish Greek Rice Bowls with Gorton’s Crunchy Breaded Fish Fillets
• Quick and Easy Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowls
• Sweet Garlic Chicken
• Quick and Easy Cashew Chicken
• Thai Cucumber Salad

We’re always looking for delicious and convenient ways to make mealtime exciting and effortless. These recipes showcase how versatile and flavorful Gorton’s products can be, perfectly complementing a range of culinary styles. Dive in and discover your next favorite dish!