Preparation Time: 15 minutes Serves: 2

Sesame-Tahini Seaweed & Apple Salad (Who Does the Dishes) By Lucy Leonardi

Seaweed is often called a “superfood,” and for good reason. It absorbs a rich concentration of minerals from the ocean that land plants sometimes lack.

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup rehydrated seaweed (like Wakame or Mekabu)
  • 1 crisp apple (Fuji, Red Delicious or Granny Smith), julienned or thinly sliced
  • 1 cup green beans, trimmed and blanched
  • 1 medium tomato, cut into wedges (or a handful of cherry tomatoes)
  • 2 tbsp tahini
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tsp maple syrup or honey
  • 1 tbsp warm water (to thin the dressing)
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)

Method:

  1. Prep the Veggies: Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Drop the green beans in for 2
    minutes, then immediately plunge them into ice water to keep them bright green and
    crunchy. Drain and chop into bite-sized pieces.

  2. Whisk the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, sesame oil, light
    soy sauce, and maple syrup/honey. It might seize up and get thick at first—just
    add the warm water a teaspoon at a time until it becomes a smooth, pourable cream.

  3. Assemble: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rehydrated seaweed, sliced apple,
    blanched green beans, and tomatoes.

  4. Toss and Garnish: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
    Transfer to a serving dish and top generously with toasted sesame seeds.

Important: make sure that any of the options you picked for the skins are at ambient temperature or better cold, otherwise it will compromise your nice cream structure!

Chef’s Tip: Let the salad sit for 5–10 minutes before serving. The apples will slightly soften and absorb the savoury dressing, making it taste even better.

Why Seaweed is a Nutritional Powerhouse

Seaweed is often called a “superfood,” and for good reason. It absorbs a rich concentration of minerals from the ocean that land plants sometimes lack.

1. The Nutritional Benefits

  • Iodine and Tyrosine Bullet: Seaweed is one of the best natural sources of iodine, an essential mineral that supports your thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism and energy levels.
  • Gut Health Ally: It is packed with soluble fibre and polysaccharides (like alginate), which act as prebiotics—feeding the good bacteria in your gut and aiding digestion.
  • Rich in Antioxidants: Seaweed contains vitamins A, C, and E, alongside unique plant compounds like fucoxanthin, which help protect cells from oxidative damage.
2. Why It’s So Versatile
  • The Ultimate Umami Booster: Seaweed is naturally high in glutamates, giving it that deep, savoury “fifth taste.” This means it can elevate simple ingredients (like the green beans and tomatoes in your salad) without needing heavy salts.
  • Texture Chameleon: Depending on how you use it, seaweed can be crispy and crunchy (like roasted nori sheets), chewy and tender (like rehydrated wakame), or used as a thickening agent in soups and stews.
  • Long Shelf-Life: Because it stores perfectly when dried, you can keep it in your pantry for months and instantly revive it with water whenever you need a fresh, nutrient-dense green.

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