Give me some crunch!  Crunch is so satisfying. Eating is a necessity, but the crunch you get from eating certain foods kicks up the pleasure factor greatly. Practically everything in this salad rates high on the crunch factor scale. You ask, “Is there such a thing as a crunch factor scale?” Who knows, but let’s just say there is. This salad would be off the crunchin’ charts! Sumi Salad ~ Shredded crunchy green and purple cabbage, julienne carrots, green onions, and roasted almonds tossed with rice vinaigrette dressing, then garnished with wonton noodles for even more crunch. Crunch your way to health!

In a recent white paper, the Almond Board of California said “Almonds offer something no other nut does: the most highly rated crunch factor for consumers.” The Almond Board of California is from my hometown of Modesto, CA and I’m here to tell you , we know our nuts! The satisfaction of  crunching on foods is a great way to relieve tension. Did you know that stress, anger and anxiety are the most common reasons why we experience cravings for crunch? So the next time you feel the urge to bite someone’s head off, pick up something crunchy instead. How’s your crunch satisfaction meter running today? 

In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, salt and pepper.

Toast the slivered almonds in a small skillet until lightly browned. Don’t skip this step. What a difference a little toastiness on the almonds makes.  The nutty flavor is greatly enhanced and when you come across the nuts in the salad you’ll appreciate the flavor and the crunch! 

Combine the cabbage, almonds, carrots and green onions in a large serving bowl. Crunch City!

Add dressing to salad and toss to coat well. Healthy, happy colors! I can almost feel the crunch beneath my teeth!

If you’re not going to serve the salad for awhile, it’s fine to dress the salad and keep it chilled. Add the wonton strips right before serving and gently toss to combine. Gotta keep the crunch in everything. No soggy bits! Serves 6-8.