Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Spicy Asian Slaw Salad

Spicy Asian Slaw Salad

I think the colour of this Spicy Asian Slaw says it all.  To think you can buy most of this lusciousness already diced, in one bag........ it's genius.  It sounds a little low brow, but who cares, this salad presents as easy, pretty and with a fabbo spicy Asian dressing, packs a punch in terms of flavour. That's all my boxes ticked, so it's definitely share worthy.

This salad was the other half of my contribution, to our big Easter family BBQ.  We are 19 people at full throttle and whenever we get together, it's always a feast.  However, with most of the cousins now adults with big appetites, my attempts at a second helping were thwarted. Probably just as well. As it turned out, even on one helping, I didn't need dinner that night, but if good quality food is on offer, I never seem to have trouble fitting it in, no matter how far up to pussy's bow I am. 

  At lunch, Mr Beach House, who always seems prouder of me in company, than behind closed doors, remarked positively on the "slaw".  He reminded us that his mum used to "slap a coleslaw in the middle of the table" for most evening meals, in his childhood home.  Feeding four kids three meals a day, with little opportunity for takeaway dinners, will do that to you, I guess. 

  It appears Mr Beach House has fond memories of this daily occasion.  Trouble is, I (or my hips anyway) are not partial to eating too much mayo on anything. So how to bring this tradition into the 21st century?

I give you my Spicy Asian Slaw

His eyes always light up when I slap a slaw down on our dinner table and he seems to be OK with the fact, it has Asian overtones. 


Spicy Asian Slaw Salad
1 bag of coleslaw mix
1/2 cup of coriander (cilantro) leaves picked
1/2 cup chopped mint
2 kaffir lime leaves, finely julienned (optional, but they give it a lovely kick)

Dressing
1/4 cup (60)ml rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1.5 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 clove of garlic crushed.

Decant contents of salad bag into a salad bowl
add other salad ingredients and combine well by hand.
For the dressing whisk all ingredients vigorously in a jug.
Pour over the salad half an hour prior to serving, to allow the flavours to meld.


If you are in Australia, I hope you are enjoying having the kids back at school this week.  I certainly enjoyed my freedom yesterday.

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9 comments :

  1. I love that colseslaw mix too! I'm assuming the 2 tbsp of fish is actually fish sauce ;) haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it is and thanks for pointing that out.
      Carolyn

      Delete
  2. Bonjour chère amie,

    Je m'invite chez vous !! C'est tout à fait le genre de salade que j'adore... je peux dire que j'ai fait une belle cure de salade similaire lorsque j'ai vécu à l'île Maurice...
    Merci pour ce partage gourmand.

    Gros bisous ❤︎ ❀ ❁ ❀ ❤︎

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Martine.
      Looking forward to popping over to see some more of your lovely paintings.
      Carolyn

      Delete
  3. I love the look of your slaw, Caro, and what a pretty bowl. The colour is stunning. My husband's mother was too fond of making coleslaw as well. When her three boys saw it being dumped on the table they would groan and she would say, 'It's very nourishing'. But she used to pile in the sultanas and everyone hated it. This is a much more refreshing version and the dressing sounds light and tasty xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. This slaw looks so yummy. I will definitely be adding this to my list of recipes. xo

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh I like sultanas in a slaw, this one looks good. Adding fresh herbs to the pre-grated slaw is definitely the way to go. I've never in my life made an Asian style dressing - daft.

    Seana

    ReplyDelete
  6. Looks like something I would be very happy to hoover!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This sounds so good and looks so pretty! I just picked up a "bag" of almost the exact same thing at the grocery store and it was called "Asian Slaw." I was very happy -- just call me "low brow!"

    ReplyDelete

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