Celery Salad

¼ small stick (¼ pound or ⅛ kg) vegetarian "ham"**, cut into bite-sized strips ½ block fried tofu, cut into bite-sized strips 1 Tablespoon canola oil Salt and mushroom seasoning** (to taste) Vegetables: 6 stalks celery, thinly sliced diagonally 1 medium carrot, peeled and shredded 1 red bell pepper, seeded and shredded lengthwise 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and shredded lengthwise 3 dried white fungus*, soaked until soft and cut in small chunks Vinaigrette: juice of 3 limes (lemon or vinegar is fine, but lime has a better taste) ¼ teaspoon salt 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar Veggie chili fish sauce: 1 cup spring water 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar 3 teaspoons salt ½ teaspoon mushroom seasoning** ¾ cup Coco Rico coconut soda* juice of 1 lime ½ teaspoon soy sauce (can use Healthy Boy brand)* 1 teaspoon chili paste Garnish: ½ cup unsalted roasted peanuts, crushed 1 red hot chili pepper (if you prefer it spicy), minced 1 bunch laksa leaves*, finely chopped

(Picture 1) (Picture 2)

* Available in Asian markets

** Available in Asian markets, health food stores, or from http://www.vegecyber.com

1. Mix all ingredients for the vinaigrette together in a small bowl. Put aside.

2. Mix all ingredients for the veggie chili fish sauce together in a small bowl. Put aside.
3. Preheat a frying pan and add in the canola oil. Stir-fry the vegetarian "ham" and tofu. Season to taste with salt and mushroom seasoning.
4. Combine all vegetables and vinaigrette mixture in a big bowl. Marinate for about 5 minutes to allow the vegetables to absorb vinaigrette mixture. Mix well.

Decoration:
{Place the salad (after squeezing out excess dressing) onto a plate. Add stir-fried vegetarian ham and tofu to vegetables. Sprinkle with laksa leaves, crushed roasted peanuts, and red chili peppers.

{Celery Salad can still be fresh and crunchy after being refrigerated for one or two days. However, this great tasting salad is better served immediately for freshness. Celery Salad can be served as an appetizer, with steamed rice or vermicelli rice noodles. Veggie chili fish sauce can be added to taste. Enjoy!