Valentine's day Salad

Happy Valentine's Day :) How about dishing up a lovely red-coloured salad? I got this recipe from my local paper, which was actually meant for the Chinese New Year, but since today is Valentine's day, might as well use it :)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup chinese black vinegar
1/2 cup of brown sugar
250g punnet of strawberries
1 head red lettuce
1/2 head red cabbage, shredded finely
Toasted sesame seeds and roasted almond silvers (optional) for garnish

Dressing:
1/2 cup canola oil
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp sugar
2 Tbs rice vinegar
1 tsp light soya sauce
1/4 tsp salt

Method:
Place black vinegar and sugar in a small pot and heat till mixture thickens into a treacle. Leave aside.

Wipe strawberrys with a cloth. Do not wash or the flavour will leach away. Slice strawberries lengthwise. Wash and dry lettuce leaves. Shred red cabbage finely. Leave all aside.

Make up dressing by placing ingredients in a bowl and whisk with a fork to emulsify the mixture.

Place shredded cabbage in a bowl and pour over dressing. Toss to ensure that the leaves are well-coated.

Place lettuce leaves on a plate. Lay sliced strawberries on top, overlapping in concentric rings. Place a mound of dressed cabbage leaves in the middle. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and, if you like, some roasted almond silvers.

Using a spoon, drizzle black vinegar syrup over the lot and serve at once.

Source: Sylvia Tan; Mind your Body - Living Well; Red Cabbage and Strawberry Salad with Chinese Black Vinegar; The Straits Times MICA (P) 198/12/2006