Crunchy Napa cabbage, savory ham, sweet corn, eggs, and tangy mustard-dill dressing come together in this fresh deli-style salad… but the one simple ingredient that quietly makes the whole thing pop might surprise you.
3tablespoonsdill pickles or cornichonsfinely chopped
4green onionsthinly sliced
4tablespoonsfresh dillchopped
Mustard-dill dressing
1 1/2tablespoonswholegrain mustard
2tablespoonsfresh lemon juice
3tablespoonssunflower oil
1teaspoonhoney
2teaspoonspickle brine
salt and black pepperto taste
Instructions
Add 300 g napa cabbage thinly shredded to a large bowl and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Toss well, then gently massage for 30-60 seconds. Let sit for 10-15 minutes to soften slightly and release excess moisture.
After resting, gently squeeze out any excess liquid, then return the cabbage to the bowl.
Place 4 eggs in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer to cold water, then peel and chop into bite-sized pieces.
While the cabbage rests, grate 1 carrot, cut 200 g deli ham into strips, finely chop pickles into 3 tablespoons dill pickles or cornichons, thinly slice 4 green onions chop 4 tablespoons fresh dill and measure 1 cup sweet corn.
In a small bowl, whisk together: 1 1/2 tablespoons wholegrain mustard, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 3 tablespoons sunflower oil, 1 teaspoon honey, 2 teaspoons pickle brine, and salt and black pepper to taste.
Whisk until smooth and well combined.
Add to the bowl with the Napa cabbage: grated carrot, deli ham strips, chopped eggs, sweet corn, chopped pickles, green onions, and fresh dill.
Pour the dressing over and toss until evenly coated.
Let the salad sit for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the cabbage to absorb the dressing and the flavors to mingle.
Notes
Let the cabbage sit with salt for 10-15 minutes before assembling. This softens it slightly while keeping its crunch and creates that classic surówka texture. Pat thawed corn dry before adding it to the salad. Frozen corn works great here, but extra moisture can water down the dressing.