08 October 2011

Asian Slaw

Summer is fast approaching and a new trainer and the annual desire to get in shape has me looking for salad inspiration.  I am actually enjoying a little healthier living and there is no cheating with the new trainer, who is keeping me on track.  We are doing things the easy way for the first 6 weeks and as long as that works there will be no austerity measures put in place!  Week 4 complete and I think progress has been made...stronger, fitter and healthier not mention a few kilograms lighter and my jeans feeling a little less tight, and let's be honest we all like a little of that.  So bring on Summer.


I may be wanting healthy but it needs to be satisfying and full of flavour too, plus I like a little variety.   I have never understood those people that can have the exact same thing for lunch, day in day out.  I guess for them food is simple sustenance whereas for me it is so much more.   Even if it is a salad for lunch it has to be bright, with layers of texture and flavour.  So this little salad provides a lettuce, cucumber and tomato free zone and ticks the boxes on bright and full of flavour and texture

Asian Slaw

There is no real recipe as such so feel to mix it up with whatever you have in the fridge.  I like a little heat and to add a little red cabbage as it adds such a pretty purple hue.


Serves 2

Ingredients

For the salad

1 cup red cabbage, finely sliced
1 cup green or white cabbage, finely sliced
1/2 red pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 yellow pepper, thinly sliced
1 medium carrot,  finely julienned (thin matchsticks)
1/4 cup mint, roughly chopped
1/4 cup coriander, roughly chopped
1/4 cup raw peanuts, smashed in a pestle and mortar

For the Dressing

Zest and juice of 1 lime
1/2 tsp sugar
Half a chilli, deseeded and finely diced, you can use more chilli and keep the seeds if you like a little more heat
2 tsp fish sauce
1-2 tbsp neutral oil, I used canola
Again adjust the quantities to suit your taste, I prefer a more acidic dressing and go easy on the oil, but if that's not how you like it add a little more oil.

Directions

Toss together all the salad ingredients in a large bowl and set aside.  Mix together all the dressing ingredients and add more or less of what you like.  Dress the salad and sprinkle with the smashed peanuts.  Serve straight away.



This salad is bright and fresh.  Lots of crunch from the salad,  a little heat from the chilli, a fresh green burst from the mint and coriander and a welcome nutty note from the peanuts all wrapped up in a zesty little dressing.


If you like this you might like this Asian Chilli and Lime Beef Salad
One year ago - A Little Chicken


Enjoy!

23 comments:

  1. Pretty salad!

    I adore red cabbage. It's beautiful, versitile and lasts for ages in the fridge. Total win.

    I actually like a bit of non-neutral oil like sesame oil in my slaw. Brings a nutty depth. Though I see you've used peanuts so maybe it doesn't need sesame oil at all.

    I can't have the same thing for lunch day in day out either. It drives me crazy seeing other people do it. I know that it's their choice, but I can't help but feel sorry for them. Life is too short to taste all the the dishes the world have to offer. But I'm going to give it a good go.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely and colourful, I love photo number 6, +1!!

    Are you coming to the italian Festival in Freemans Bay tomorrow? lots of nice food ;-).

    Ciao
    A.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is such a beautiful salad...I am sad our whole summer passed and somehow I did not make one like this. Maybe I can still get one in before the cold weather comes.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mairi, this is just gorgeous!

    I have to start herbs again and grow them by the window since we started to experience cooler weather here.

    Funny thing was, I stared at a coriander seed packet for the longest time earlier...LOL. Must start them soon.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I like eating lighter meals when the weather starts to get warmer - really makes it feel like Winter's behind us. Love that there's peanuts in this slaw, a bit of crunch in a salad never goes amiss!

    ReplyDelete
  6. i like your pictures and would like to invite you to share them on tastingspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm totally like you with regards to weight loss and healthy eating - I have to have variety! I could never understand people who are happy eating the same thing, day in and day out, that would drive me crazy. So this salad is perfect for me to add into my repertoire, but only once a week! :) Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  8. @bunnyeatsdesign Thanks :) Yes so many things to try & so little time!

    ReplyDelete
  9. @Alessandra Thanks Alessandra, sorry to miss the Italian Festival, hope it all went well :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. @Winnie Thanks Winnie, I am sure you can squeeze one in before fall totally sets in!

    ReplyDelete
  11. @Annapet - The Daily Palette Thanks Annapet :) Planted all my herbs today...quite proud now the garden resembles a garden again :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. @Christina Thanks Christina, variety is essential....though I do seem to be in a bit of a slaw phase :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hey I'm so with you on eating a little healthier now that the weather is warming up. Love Asian slaws made with copious amounts of fresh lime juice :-)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lovely post! I've been eating so many slaw variations lately, makes me feel very summery! They're such a great crunchy filling salad. Your one looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Eating good food and being healthy is important, as well as getting shape :) Your salad looks lovely and colourful, like Summer itself. Good luck with the training and I hope I will see you in a newish look next month. Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh, I love this salad, Mairi! I'm a cabbage fan and always enjoy a crisp, flavorful dish like this one. What gorgeous photos, too.

    ReplyDelete
  17. @Emma Galloway Thanks Emma...seem to be developing a bit of a slaw addiction in my quest for interesting salads :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. @timeforalittlesomething.com Thanks :) Yes I love the crunch too.

    ReplyDelete
  19. @Arfi Binsted Thanks Arfi! Weigh in tomorrow! Look forward to seeing you soon!

    ReplyDelete
  20. @Hannah Thanks Hannah, loved photographing this one.

    ReplyDelete
  21. It is looking tasty at best. I am an avid fan of Modern Asian Cuisine.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...