Begin by making the dressing. Add all the ingredients - olive oil, canola oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, ginger, garlic, dijon mustard, and salt - into a blender. Pulse until well emulsified, making sure the ginger and garlic are finely minced. This dressing is the heart of your salad, so take your time to blend until everything's incorporated smoothly.
Next, pour the dressing into an airtight container and allow it to rest in the refrigerator while you prepare the salad. This resting time lets the flavors meld beautifully. Don’t forget to shake or stir it again before adding to the salad!
Heat about 3/4 to 1-inch of vegetable oil in a skillet to about 360 degrees. Maintaining this temperature is key for frying the wonton strips. Adjust the heat as necessary, ensuring the oil is hot but not smoking.
Carefully add just enough wonton strips to the hot oil without overcrowding the pan. Fry them until they’re halfway cooked, then use metal tongs to rotate them to the opposite side. Continue cooking until they're lightly golden brown. This step creates the perfect crispy treat!
Once done, remove the fried wonton strips and drain them on a plate lined with paper towels. Immediately sprinkle them lightly with cinnamon and salt before they cool and dry completely. The warm wontons will absorb the flavors beautifully.
In a large salad bowl, combine the baby spinach, snow peas, matchstick carrots, red bell pepper, mandarin oranges, and cilantro. Toss gently to mix all the ingredients together. The colors in this bowl are so inviting!
Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad, using as much or as little as you like. Toss again gently to coat all the ingredients evenly in this flavorful dressing. It’s the vibrant colors and fresh flavors that make this salad so appealing.
Top each serving with the desired amount of fried wonton strips for that essential crunch. Don’t forget to sprinkle some black and white sesame seeds on top for an extra touch of elegance!
Serve the salad immediately, enjoying the crispy wontons alongside the fresh ingredients. This salad is best enjoyed fresh, so gather your loved ones and dig in!
