Spiced Peanut Salad with Celery

Name: Spiced Peanut Salad with Celery
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cups raw peanuts; 4 cups water; 1 teaspoon five-spice powder; 2 whole star anise; 1/2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns; 1 teaspoon salt; 3, thinly sliced celery stalks; 2 tablespoons light soy sauce; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 1 clove, minced garlic; 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar

A cool, crunchy appetizer featuring tender peanuts braised with aromatic five-spice, paired with crisp celery and dressed in a savory-sweet sauce. Perfect for summer snacking or as a dim sum accompaniment.

30 min

Easy

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Story

This recipe transforms humble raw peanuts into something extraordinary. The pressure cooker method yields perfectly tender peanuts that soak up all the warm spices, while fresh celery adds a satisfying crunch. Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature for the best flavor.

Ingredients

raw peanuts 2 cups

water 4 cups

five-spice powder 1 teaspoon

star anise 2 whole

Sichuan peppercorns 1/2 teaspoon

salt 1 teaspoon

celery stalks 3, thinly sliced

light soy sauce 2 tablespoons

rice vinegar 1 tablespoon

sesame oil 1 teaspoon

garlic 1 clove, minced

granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon

Instructions

Braise the peanuts

Combine peanuts, water, five-spice powder, star anise, Sichuan peppercorns, and salt in a pressure cooker. Lock the lid in place and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.

Cool and drain

Transfer the cooked peanuts to a colander and let them drain and cool completely. The peanuts should be tender but still hold their shape. Discard the cooking liquid or save it for soup stock.

Prepare the celery

While the peanuts cool, slice the celery stalks into thin diagonal pieces. The thinner the slices, the better they will absorb the dressing.

Make the dressing

In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and sugar until the sugar dissolves.

Combine and serve

Add the cooled peanuts and sliced celery to the dressing. Toss gently to coat everything evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.