Orange-Cinnamon Cranberry Compote

Condiment

Orange-Cinnamon Cranberry Compote

Let the cranberries soften in orange juice with enough brown sugar to suit their tartness. Butter gives this small-batch compote a rounded finish.

Yield
4 servings
Cuisine
French-inspired

Bring it to the table

Adjust the sweetness at the end

Start with the smaller amount of sugar, then taste once the berries are cooked. You can add more from the stated range if needed.

At the table

Serve warm or chilled alongside roast meat, cheese or a simple dessert.

Before you start

Gather your ingredients.

Full quantities and serving adjustments are in the recipe card below.

See the ingredient checklist
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar — use up to 4 tablespoons for the base batch, to taste
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 orange — zest and juice; cut zest into fine strips or grate finely
  • 1 cinnamon stick

A few useful notes.

The sugar range for the base batch is 2–4 tablespoons.

Remove the cinnamon stick before serving.

The cooking plan

How to make Orange-Cinnamon Cranberry Compote.

  1. Melt the butter and measured brown sugar together in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring.

  2. Add orange juice, orange zest and the cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer, then add the cranberries.

  3. Reduce the heat and cook gently, stirring occasionally, until the berries soften and the juices thicken to your liking. Taste and add more sugar from the stated range if needed.

  4. Remove the cinnamon stick. Serve warm, or cool promptly and refrigerate in a covered container for chilled serving.

Let’s cook

The full recipe.

Check off ingredients as you get them ready.

Changing servings? The ingredient list scales automatically. Adjust quantities named in the steps to match, and choose pans and cooking times for your batch.

Orange-Cinnamon Cranberry Compote

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Cranberries simmered with orange, brown sugar, butter and a cinnamon stick.
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: French-inspired

Some ingredient links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients
  

  •  
    1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • Moist light brown sugar in a white prep bowl2 tbsp brown sugar use up to 4 tablespoons for the base batch, to taste
  • 1 tbsp butter
  •  
    1 orange zest and juice; cut zest into fine strips or grate finely
  •  
    1 cinnamon stick

Equipment images are illustrative. Exact products may vary.

Instructions
 

  1. Melt the butter and measured brown sugar together in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring.
  2. Add orange juice, orange zest and the cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer, then add the cranberries.
  3. Reduce the heat and cook gently, stirring occasionally, until the berries soften and the juices thicken to your liking. Taste and add more sugar from the stated range if needed.
  4. Remove the cinnamon stick. Serve warm, or cool promptly and refrigerate in a covered container for chilled serving.

Notes

The sugar range for the base batch is 2–4 tablespoons.
Remove the cinnamon stick before serving.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

A couple of useful answers.

Can I use frozen cranberries?

Yes. Add them to the simmering orange mixture and cook until softened.

How sweet should it be?

Start with 2 tablespoons sugar for the base batch and adjust after cooking, up to 4 tablespoons.

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Maple-Sherry Spiced Pecans

Snack

Maple-Sherry Spiced Pecans

A small tray of pecans gets a maple-butter coating and a gentle chile finish. Stir while roasting so the coating dries evenly around the nuts.

Yield
1 batch
Cuisine
American-inspired

Bring it to the table

Watch the smaller batch

Spread the pecans in one layer and stir during roasting. Begin checking early and use the color and dryness of the coating as your guide.

At the table

Cool before serving as a snack or scattering over a salad.

Before you start

Gather your ingredients.

Full quantities and serving adjustments are in the recipe card below.

See the ingredient checklist
  • 2 cups pecans
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp dry sherry
  • 1/16 tsp cayenne pepper — a small pinch for the base batch
  • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt — plus a little more to taste

A few useful notes.

The base batch starts with 2 cups pecans.

The sherry is an ingredient in the coating; this recipe is not described as alcohol-free.

The cooking plan

How to make Maple-Sherry Spiced Pecans.

  1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment rated for the oven temperature.

  2. Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Stir in maple syrup, sherry, cayenne and salt.

  3. Toss the pecans with the warm coating using a spoon or spatula. Spread in one layer on the baking sheet.

  4. Roast, stirring occasionally, until the nuts are fragrant and the coating looks dry. Start checking after 10 minutes and continue as needed, watching closely to prevent scorching.

  5. Cool completely on the tray. Taste and add a little more salt if needed before serving.

Let’s cook

The full recipe.

Check off ingredients as you get them ready.

Changing servings? The ingredient list scales automatically. Adjust quantities named in the steps to match, and choose pans and cooking times for your batch.

Maple-Sherry Spiced Pecans

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Pecans roasted with maple syrup, butter, dry sherry and a little cayenne.
Servings: 1 batch
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American-inspired

Some ingredient links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients
  

  •  
    2 cups pecans
  • 2 tbsp butter
  •  
    1 tbsp maple syrup
  •  
    1 tbsp dry sherry
  • 1/16 tsp cayenne pepper a small pinch for the base batch
  •  
    ¼ tsp fine sea salt plus a little more to taste

Equipment images are illustrative. Exact products may vary.

Instructions
 

  1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment rated for the oven temperature.
  2. Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Stir in maple syrup, sherry, cayenne and salt.
  3. Toss the pecans with the warm coating using a spoon or spatula. Spread in one layer on the baking sheet.
  4. Roast, stirring occasionally, until the nuts are fragrant and the coating looks dry. Start checking after 10 minutes and continue as needed, watching closely to prevent scorching.
  5. Cool completely on the tray. Taste and add a little more salt if needed before serving.

Notes

The base batch starts with 2 cups pecans.
The sherry is an ingredient in the coating; this recipe is not described as alcohol-free.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

A couple of useful answers.

When are the pecans ready?

Look for fragrant nuts and a dry coating, then let them cool before judging the crunch.

Can I pack them while warm?

Let them cool completely first so trapped steam does not soften the coating.

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Reduced Apple Cider and Dijon Dressing

Condiment

Reduced Apple Cider and Dijon Dressing

Reduce the cider before adding the mustard and oil. Measuring the reduced cider gives you a more useful endpoint than a fixed cooking time.

Yield
1 batch
Cuisine
French-inspired

Bring it to the table

Measure the reduction

Start with 4 cups cider and cook it down to 3/4 cup for the base batch. Check in a heatproof measuring jug as the liquid reduces.

At the table

Toss a little with salad leaves and add more only as needed. Shake or whisk before serving.

Before you start

Gather your ingredients.

Full quantities and serving adjustments are in the recipe card below.

See the ingredient checklist
  • 4 cups apple cider — the apple drink, not apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup neutral vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp sherry vinegar
  • salt and black pepper — to taste

A few useful notes.

Makes approximately 2 cups in the base batch; the recipe control represents one batch.

Use apple cider rather than cider vinegar. The separately measured sherry vinegar supplies the acidity.

The cooking plan

How to make Reduced Apple Cider and Dijon Dressing.

  1. Pour the cider into a saucepan and bring to a steady simmer. Cook uncovered until reduced to 3/4 cup for the base batch, checking the volume in a heatproof measuring jug. Watch closely near the end.

  2. Let the reduction cool until just warm. Whisk in Dijon and sherry vinegar.

  3. Add the oil gradually while whisking, or blend until evenly combined. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

  4. Cool promptly and refrigerate in a covered container. Shake or whisk again before dressing the salad.

Let’s cook

The full recipe.

Check off ingredients as you get them ready.

Changing servings? The ingredient list scales automatically. Adjust quantities named in the steps to match, and choose pans and cooking times for your batch.

Reduced Apple Cider and Dijon Dressing

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A cider reduction whisked with Dijon, sherry vinegar and oil for a sweet-sharp salad dressing.
Servings: 1 batch
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: French-inspired

Some ingredient links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients
  

  •  
    4 cups apple cider the apple drink, not apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
  •  
    1 cup neutral vegetable oil
  •  
    1 tbsp sherry vinegar
  •  
    salt and black pepper to taste

Equipment images are illustrative. Exact products may vary.

Instructions
 

  1. Pour the cider into a saucepan and bring to a steady simmer. Cook uncovered until reduced to 3/4 cup for the base batch, checking the volume in a heatproof measuring jug. Watch closely near the end.
  2. Let the reduction cool until just warm. Whisk in Dijon and sherry vinegar.
  3. Add the oil gradually while whisking, or blend until evenly combined. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Cool promptly and refrigerate in a covered container. Shake or whisk again before dressing the salad.

Notes

Makes approximately 2 cups in the base batch; the recipe control represents one batch.
Use apple cider rather than cider vinegar. The separately measured sherry vinegar supplies the acidity.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

A couple of useful answers.

Which cider do I need?

Use the apple drink sold as apple cider, not apple cider vinegar.

Why does the dressing separate?

Oil-based dressings can separate as they stand. Whisk or shake before serving.

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French-Style Four-Spice Blend with Allspice

Condiment

French-Style Four-Spice Blend with Allspice

Measure the spices separately and stir them together for a ready-to-use blend. Allspice rounds out this variation on quatre épices.

Yield
13 teaspoons
Cuisine
French-inspired

Bring it to the table

Measure after grinding

If starting with whole spices, grind each type separately before measuring. This keeps the proportions consistent.

At the table

Use a small amount to season a savory filling or a spiced bake, then adjust to taste.

Before you start

Gather your ingredients.

Full quantities and serving adjustments are in the recipe card below.

See the ingredient checklist
  • 1 tbsp ground white pepper
  • 1 tbsp ground cloves
  • 1 tbsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground allspice

A few useful notes.

The base batch makes 4 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon, or 13 teaspoons.

This variation includes allspice in addition to the four main spices.

The cooking plan

How to make French-Style Four-Spice Blend with Allspice.

  1. If using whole spices, grind each spice separately to a fine powder, then measure the quantities listed.

  2. Combine all five ground spices in a small bowl. Stir thoroughly, breaking up any lumps.

  3. Transfer to a clean, dry airtight jar. Label and keep away from heat, light and moisture. Stir or shake before measuring.

Let’s cook

The full recipe.

Check off ingredients as you get them ready.

Changing servings? The ingredient list scales automatically. Adjust quantities named in the steps to match, and choose pans and cooking times for your batch.

French-Style Four-Spice Blend with Allspice

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A ground spice blend of white pepper, cloves, nutmeg and ginger, with a little allspice.
Servings: 13 teaspoons
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: French-inspired

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Ingredients
  

  •  
    1 tbsp ground white pepper
  • 1 tbsp ground cloves
  •  
    1 tbsp ground nutmeg
  •  
    1 tbsp ground ginger
  •  
    1 tsp ground allspice

Equipment images are illustrative. Exact products may vary.

Instructions
 

  1. If using whole spices, grind each spice separately to a fine powder, then measure the quantities listed.
  2. Combine all five ground spices in a small bowl. Stir thoroughly, breaking up any lumps.
  3. Transfer to a clean, dry airtight jar. Label and keep away from heat, light and moisture. Stir or shake before measuring.

Notes

The base batch makes 4 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon, or 13 teaspoons.
This variation includes allspice in addition to the four main spices.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

A couple of useful answers.

Do I measure whole spices or ground spices?

Measure after grinding; the ingredient amounts refer to ground spices.

How much should I use?

Start with a small amount in the dish you are seasoning, then adjust to taste.

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Brown Butter Chocolate Soufflé

Dessert

Brown Butter Chocolate Soufflé

Brown butter coats the baking dish rather than the chocolate mixture. Whipped egg whites lift a base of bittersweet chocolate and cocoa, with optional rum for the finish.

Yield
6 servings
Cuisine
French-inspired

Bring it to the table

Prepare the dish before the batter

Chill the buttered, sugared dish while making the chocolate mixture. Once the whites are folded in, get the soufflé into the hot oven promptly.

At the table

Dust with powdered sugar and spoon into bowls with a little cream.

Before you start

Gather your ingredients.

Full quantities and serving adjustments are in the recipe card below.

See the ingredient checklist
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 56 g superfine sugar — for coating; about 1/4 cup for the base batch
  • 75 g superfine sugar — for egg whites; about 1/3 cup for the base batch
  • 1 tbsp superfine sugar — approximately, for sprinkling on top
  • 3.5 oz bittersweet chocolate — 70% cacao; chopped
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream — plus more to serve
  • 3 large eggs — separated; at room temperature for mixing
  • 50 g Dutch-process cocoa powder — about 1/2 cup for the base batch
  • 1 tbsp dark rum — optional
  • 1/2 tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt — or half as much Morton
  • 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1/2 cup hot water
  • powdered sugar — to finish

A few useful notes.

The base batch serves about 6–8; the serving control starts at 6. Use a 1 1/2-quart soufflé dish for this batch.

Larger batches need appropriately sized separate dishes; do not simply fill the same dish more deeply.

No flour is added, but check ingredient labels if avoiding gluten.

The cooking plan

How to make Brown Butter Chocolate Soufflé.

  1. Chill a 1 1/2-quart soufflé dish. Melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat, swirling, until the milk solids brown, about 4 minutes. Pour into a heatproof bowl and refrigerate for about 20 minutes, until opaque but still spreadable.

  2. Brush all the brown butter over the bottom and sides of the chilled dish, right to the rim. Add the coating sugar and turn the dish to cover evenly, tapping out excess. Refrigerate while preparing the batter.

  3. Heat oven to 475°F with a rack in the middle. Put chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Warm the measured cream until steaming, pour over chocolate and stir occasionally until melted and smooth, about 5 minutes. Whisk in yolks one at a time.

  4. Stir cocoa, optional rum, kosher salt and hot water together until smooth. Whisk into the chocolate mixture.

  5. With an electric mixer, beat egg whites, cream of tartar and their measured superfine sugar until glossy and holding firm peaks, about 5–7 minutes. Stop before the foam becomes dry or grainy.

  6. Gently fold the chocolate mixture into the whites until just combined. Transfer to the prepared dish and sprinkle with the separate tablespoon sugar.

  7. Bake for about 25–30 minutes, until risen, the top has darkened slightly and the center reaches 160°F. Dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately with cream.

Let’s cook

The full recipe.

Check off ingredients as you get them ready.

Changing servings? The ingredient list scales automatically. Adjust quantities named in the steps to match, and choose pans and cooking times for your batch.

Brown Butter Chocolate Soufflé

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A flourless chocolate soufflé baked in a brown-buttered, sugar-coated dish and served straight from the oven.
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French-inspired

Some ingredient links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  •  
    56 g superfine sugar for coating; about 1/4 cup for the base batch
  •  
    75 g superfine sugar for egg whites; about 1/3 cup for the base batch
  •  
    1 tbsp superfine sugar approximately, for sprinkling on top
  •  
    3.5 oz bittersweet chocolate 70% cacao; chopped
  • ½ cup heavy cream plus more to serve
  • 3 large eggs separated; at room temperature for mixing
  •  
    50 g Dutch-process cocoa powder about 1/2 cup for the base batch
  •  
    1 tbsp dark rum optional
  • Light irregular kosher salt flakes in a small white bowl½ tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt or half as much Morton
  •  
    ¼ tsp cream of tartar
  •  
    ½ cup hot water
  • Fine white powdered confectioners sugar in a prep bowlpowdered sugar to finish

Equipment images are illustrative. Exact products may vary.

Instructions
 

  1. Chill a 1 1/2-quart soufflé dish. Melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat, swirling, until the milk solids brown, about 4 minutes. Pour into a heatproof bowl and refrigerate for about 20 minutes, until opaque but still spreadable.
  2. Brush all the brown butter over the bottom and sides of the chilled dish, right to the rim. Add the coating sugar and turn the dish to cover evenly, tapping out excess. Refrigerate while preparing the batter.
  3. Heat oven to 475°F with a rack in the middle. Put chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Warm the measured cream until steaming, pour over chocolate and stir occasionally until melted and smooth, about 5 minutes. Whisk in yolks one at a time.
  4. Stir cocoa, optional rum, kosher salt and hot water together until smooth. Whisk into the chocolate mixture.
  5. With an electric mixer, beat egg whites, cream of tartar and their measured superfine sugar until glossy and holding firm peaks, about 5–7 minutes. Stop before the foam becomes dry or grainy.
  6. Gently fold the chocolate mixture into the whites until just combined. Transfer to the prepared dish and sprinkle with the separate tablespoon sugar.
  7. Bake for about 25–30 minutes, until risen, the top has darkened slightly and the center reaches 160°F. Dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately with cream.

Notes

The base batch serves about 6–8; the serving control starts at 6. Use a 1 1/2-quart soufflé dish for this batch.
Larger batches need appropriately sized separate dishes; do not simply fill the same dish more deeply.
No flour is added, but check ingredient labels if avoiding gluten.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

A couple of useful answers.

Does the brown butter go into the batter?

It coats the soufflé dish; the chocolate base is made separately.

Can I wait before serving?

Serve straight from the oven. A soufflé settles as it stands.

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Iceberg and Avocado with Sesame-Seaweed Ranch

Dinner

Iceberg and Avocado with Sesame-Seaweed Ranch

Darkly toasted sesame seeds and crumbled seaweed give this ranch-style dressing a savory finish. Cut the iceberg into chunky pieces and tuck avocado around it before dressing.

Yield
4 servings
Cuisine
Asian-American-inspired

Bring it to the table

Toast and crush the sesame

Watch the skillet and stir often. Once the seeds are dark brown and fragrant, transfer them out of the hot pan and crush coarsely.

At the table

Spoon over some dressing and serve the rest alongside, with extra seaweed on top.

Before you start

Gather your ingredients.

Full quantities and serving adjustments are in the recipe card below.

See the ingredient checklist
  • 2 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup chives — finely chopped
  • 1 large lemon — zest for dressing
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice — for dressing
  • 1 tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt — for dressing; or half as much Morton
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 0.35 oz seasoned toasted seaweed snacks — plus more, thinly sliced, to finish
  • 3 tbsp water — plus up to 1 tablespoon more if needed for the base batch
  • 1 small head iceberg lettuce — about 1 lb for the base batch
  • 2 avocados — cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice — for salad
  • kosher salt and black pepper — to season salad

A few useful notes.

The dressing makes about 1 1/4 cups in the base batch. Keep it covered and refrigerated until serving.

The cooking plan

How to make Iceberg and Avocado with Sesame-Seaweed Ranch.

  1. Toast sesame seeds in a dry small skillet over medium heat, stirring often, for 6–9 minutes, until dark brown and fragrant. Transfer to a mortar or spice mill and crush coarsely.

  2. Whisk crushed sesame with mayonnaise, yogurt, chives, lemon zest, dressing lemon juice and salt, garlic powder, onion powder and measured water. Finely crumble the measured seaweed into the dressing and whisk. Add a little more water if needed for a thick but pourable consistency.

  3. Trim the lettuce root and remove wilted outer leaves. Rinse and dry the lettuce, quarter lengthwise and cut the quarters crosswise into roughly 3-inch pieces. Arrange on a platter with the avocado.

  4. Drizzle salad lemon juice over the vegetables and season lightly with salt. Spoon half the dressing over, add pepper and extra sliced seaweed, and serve with remaining dressing.

Let’s cook

The full recipe.

Check off ingredients as you get them ready.

Changing servings? The ingredient list scales automatically. Adjust quantities named in the steps to match, and choose pans and cooking times for your batch.

Iceberg and Avocado with Sesame-Seaweed Ranch

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Crunchy iceberg and avocado with a creamy toasted sesame, seaweed and chive dressing.
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian-American-inspired

Some ingredient links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients
  

  •  
    2 tbsp sesame seeds
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup chives finely chopped
  • 1 large lemon zest for dressing
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice for dressing
  • Light irregular kosher salt flakes in a small white bowl1 tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt for dressing; or half as much Morton
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  •  
    0.35 oz seasoned toasted seaweed snacks plus more, thinly sliced, to finish
  • 3 tbsp water plus up to 1 tablespoon more if needed for the base batch
  •  
    1 small head iceberg lettuce about 1 lb for the base batch
  •  
    2 avocados cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice for salad
  •  
    kosher salt and black pepper to season salad

Equipment images are illustrative. Exact products may vary.

Instructions
 

  1. Toast sesame seeds in a dry small skillet over medium heat, stirring often, for 6–9 minutes, until dark brown and fragrant. Transfer to a mortar or spice mill and crush coarsely.
  2. Whisk crushed sesame with mayonnaise, yogurt, chives, lemon zest, dressing lemon juice and salt, garlic powder, onion powder and measured water. Finely crumble the measured seaweed into the dressing and whisk. Add a little more water if needed for a thick but pourable consistency.
  3. Trim the lettuce root and remove wilted outer leaves. Rinse and dry the lettuce, quarter lengthwise and cut the quarters crosswise into roughly 3-inch pieces. Arrange on a platter with the avocado.
  4. Drizzle salad lemon juice over the vegetables and season lightly with salt. Spoon half the dressing over, add pepper and extra sliced seaweed, and serve with remaining dressing.

Notes

The dressing makes about 1 1/4 cups in the base batch. Keep it covered and refrigerated until serving.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

A couple of useful answers.

How thin should the dressing be?

It should pour slowly from a spoon while still coating the lettuce. Add water a little at a time.

When does the extra seaweed go on?

Add it just before serving so it retains some texture.

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