Chinese Coleslaw

• FAST
• HEALTHY
• MAKE-AHEAD
• STAFF-FAVORITE
• VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

1. 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2. 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3. 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
4. 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
5. 1 teaspoon sugar
6. Vegetable oil, for frying
7. 1 1/2 ounces dried cellophane noodles
8. 1/2 lemon
9. One 10-inch burdock or salsify root
10. 2 cups packed mesclun (2 ounces)
11. 1 1/2 cups finely shredded red cabbage
12. 1 1/2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
13. 1 large celery rib, cut into 2-inch julienned strips
14. 1 small carrot, cut into 2-inch julienned strips
15. 1 scallion, cut into 2-inch julienned strips
16. One 2-ounce piece jicama, peeled and cut into 2-inch julienned strips ( 1/2 cup)
17. 1/3 seedless cucumber, peeled and cut into 2-inch julienned strips ( 1/2 cup)
18. 1/4 cup snow peas, julienned lengthwise
19. 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
20. 2 tablespoons thinly sliced basil leaves

1. In a small bowl, whisk the hoisin sauce with the vinegar, lime juice, sesame oil and sugar, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
2. In a large saucepan, heat 1 inch of vegetable oil to 350°. Break the noodles into 2 equal clusters. Add one cluster to the hot oil; fry until the noodles puff up and whiten, about 5 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the noodles to paper towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining cluster.
3. Squeeze the lemon half into a medium bowl of water. Peel the burdock root, cut it into 2-by- 1/4-inch strips and soak in the lemon water for 5 minutes.
4. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Drain the burdock. Add it to the saucepan and cook over high heat until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and let cool.
5. In a large bowl, toss the mesclun with the red and green cabbages, celery, carrot, scallion, jicama, cucumber, snow peas, cilantro and burdock. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Transfer the salad to a platter. Top with the fried noodles, garnish with the basil and serve right away.