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Asian Slaw

August 13th, 2010

Asian Slaw

This all started with my farm box…. Again. There was this huge purple cabbage, and I wasn’t sure what to do with it.

It happened that my mom is having a burger party this weekend (doesn’t that sound great!?) and she needed a slaw recipe. Anyone who knows me, knows I just don’t do mayo. (Sorry to the mayo lovers out there!) SO I had to come up with something else that would really compliment the flavor of the cabbage. I love the Asian flavors of the fresh ginger, garlic, cilantro and sesame. And then the sweet acid from the rice wine vinegar wakes everything up.

I added the carrots for color and sweetness and the green onions and cilantro for freshness. The result is a bold, colorful and healthy salad that is packed with flavor. It has a little spice to it (despite using a whole chili- so if you want more go for a hotter chili or add more) and is very versatile. Serve it with burgers, or as a bed for roasted salmon like I did last night!

Asian Slaw, serves 6-8
2/3 head of purple cabbage
3 medium carrots
1 bunch green onions, green and white parts
1 loosely packed cup of cilantro

Ginger Chili Vinaigrette
1 red chili
1” piece fresh, peeled ginger root
1 garlic clove
1 Tbs cilantro, minced
3 Tbs sesame oil
¼ cup rice wine vinegar
zest of 1 lime

¼ cup roasted, salted peanuts, finely chopped
Toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Finely shred the cabbage, throwing away the tough core. Set aside.

Peel the carrots into long thin ribbons with a carrot peeler.

Thinly slice the green onions, white and green parts.

Run your knife through the cilantro a few times, just to bite sized pieces.

Mix all of these ingredients together in a bowl and set aside.

For the vinaigrette:

Mince the red chili, keeping all of the seeds and veins.

Mince the ginger and the garlic and the cilantro add it to the chili in a small bowl.

Add the oil and the vinegar to the dressing, and stir to combine.

Pour the dressing over the vegetables, and add the chopped peanuts. Toss everything to combine.

This can be made and refrigerated for up to several hours, the cabbage is so sturdy, that nothing will wilt.

Before serving, add the toasted sesame seeds.