RECIPE: Make Atomic Biscuit’s Intergalactic Salad

Thank you for getting us the recipe for Atomic Biscuit’s Blueberry Mojito. We have one more request. Will they share the recipe for the incredible intergalactic salad? It’s truly out of this world! — Heather Cowart, Woodstock
“I often tell people this is the world’s greatest salad — maybe in the universe!” wrote Atomic Biscuit owner and executive chef Jim Carruthers when he sent the recipe. “It’s just the right balance of sweet, savory and tart with the slightest hint of heat. The texture is also an important factor. When I create a menu item, I look for texture: soft, creamy, crunchy — something that hits all those profiles. This salad does all those!”
Carruthers’ description says it all. Every bite is a little bit different, with the components adding up to a salad that is more than the sum of its parts. Do not be tempted to skip the raisins, in particular. When the recipe was tested, everyone who tried the salad remarked on the little bit of sweetness added when a raisin popped up in a forkful. And Carruthers warns that it just won’t be the same if you serve the dressing on the side. “Tossing the salad in the dressing is critical to the overall taste.”
This recipe is for one serving and easy to scale up to whatever quantity is needed. In the photo, the salad plate is dusted with smoked paprika.
Atomic Biscuit’s Intergalactic Salad
- 3 cups mixed salad greens
- 1/2 cup 1/4-inch sliced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup 1/4-inch sliced red onion
- 3 tablespoons cilantro leaves
- 1 tablespoon chopped mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon raisins
- 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
- 3 tablespoons Sesame Lime Dressing (see recipe)
- 2 tablespoons Toasted Ramen Noodles (see recipe)
- In a large bowl, combine salad greens, red bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, mint, raisins and walnuts. Add Sesame Lime Dressing and toss to combine. Stir in Toasted Ramen Noodles and serve immediately.
Nutritional information
Per serving: Per serving: 423 calories (percent of calories from fat, 51), 18 grams protein, 78 grams carbohydrates, 18 grams total sugars, 19 grams fiber, 24 grams total fat (6 grams saturated), no cholesterol, 943 milligrams sodium.Sesame Lime Dressing
This recipe makes enough for about 10 servings of salad. We suggest making the full batch. Extra dressing makes a delicious marinade for grilled chicken or pork tenderloin, a great accompaniment for the salad if you’d like to add a protein. It will keep refrigerated for up to a month.
Ginger paste and garlic paste are available in the produce section of most grocery stores.
- 1 cup lime juice
- 2/3 cup fish sauce
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons ginger paste
- 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 1/2 heaping teaspoons garlic paste
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, or to taste
- In the jar of a blender, combine lime juice, fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, vegetable oil, ginger paste, toasted sesame oil, garlic paste and cayenne. Blend until emulsified and taste, adding more cayenne if desired. Store covered in refrigerator for up to 1 month. Shake well before using.
Nutritional information
Per serving: Per tablespoon: 40 calories (percent of calories from fat, 64), trace protein, 3 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams total sugars, trace fiber, 3 grams total fat (trace saturated fat), no cholesterol, 210 milligrams sodium.Toasted Ramen Noodles
These bits of toasted noodles serve as an alternative to croutons and could be added to any salad or as a garnish for soup. This recipe uses the entire contents of a standard package of instant ramen noodles and makes enough for six servings.
- 1 (3-ounce) package instant ramen noodles, any flavor
- 1 tablespoon pure olive oil
- 1 tablespoon five-spice powder
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Remove noodles from package and discard seasoning packet. Put noodles into a food-safe plastic bag. Using a rolling pin, crush noodles into pieces no larger than 1/2-inch. (The noodles will not crush evenly, but any size is fine as long as it is not too large.) Spread pieces on an unoiled rimmed baking sheet. Toast noodles until lightly browned, about 15 minutes, rotating baking sheet as needed to evenly brown the pieces. Remove from oven and transfer noodles to a medium bowl. Add olive oil and toss, then add five-spice powder and toss again. When cool, store in an airtight container. May be made ahead and stored unrefrigerated up to 1 week.
Nutritional information
Per serving: Per tablespoon: 42 calories (percent of calories from fat, 50), 1 gram protein, 5 grams carbohydrates, trace total sugars, trace fiber, 2 grams total fat (1 gram saturated), no cholesterol, 123 milligrams sodium.From the menu of ... Atomic Biscuit, 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton. 678-391-9937, atomicbiscuit.com.
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