We had a bunch of cabbage come out of the backyard this 12 months. I principally made one factor with it, a feathery slaw comprised of shredded inexperienced and purple cabbages, apples, carrots, and scallions tossed with a spicy sesame dressing. Palms down, it’s my favourite coleslaw recipe. In the event you’ve ever had asparagus or spinach goma-ae at a Japanese restaurant you’ll acknowledge the inspiration for the dressing. Toss all of it collectively, and also you’ve bought an ideal slaw in your fingers. It’s good by itself. This slaw is improbable on tacos and good as a aspect to soba noodles. I’ve even thrown a number of large scoops in a bowl of brief pasta with a number of chickpeas and known as it lunch. Prep an enormous bowl and revel in it for days.
The Key to a Nice Coleslaw
I’m humorous about how I like my coleslaw, and it’s all about knife abilities. I talked about it at size once I posted this Lime & Blistered Peanut Coleslaw years again, and it applies right here as properly. The cabbage must be chopped skinny, whisper skinny. I like every chew to be feathery versus coarse or chunky. My feeling that an ideal coleslaw recipe is created with good knife abilities and a brief record of easy-to-find substances stands all these years later. Equal significance is positioned on the substances and the minimize of the cabbage.
Does Coleslaw Include Dairy?
It doesn’t must, however it may. This one doesn’t and I find it irresistible. The truth is, it’s in all probability apparent, however this isn’t a tackle a traditional coleslaw recipe. In these recipes you would possibly see spices and accents like celery seed, Dijon mustard, grated onion or apple cider vinegar. Some slaws use mayo because the creamy base. After which, in lots of non-mayo slaws you’ll see Greek yogurt swapped in. Contrastingly, this recipe I wish to makes use of citrus juice for acidity. The sesame dressing is superbly creamy with out dairy or mayo, and a rainbow of shredded crunchy substances makes issues stunning.
Spicy Sesame Coleslaw Dressing
The bottom of this coleslaw is fairly easy – cabbage, scallions, carrots, cilantro, and apple. However the dressing is the place issues get attention-grabbing right here. The dressing is creamy sesame deliciousness accented with a jolt of sriracha (or no matter spicy element you want), and a balancing squeeze of recent lime juice. The dressing coats all of the slaw substances and brings it collectively right into a creamy coleslaw dressing with out mayonnaise. 
There are a number of methods to grind the sesame seeds on this dressing. I have a tendency to make use of my suribachi, a ridged Japanese grinding bowl. You too can have at it in a conventional mortar and pestle, or a number of pulses in a meals processor (or blender) will even do the trick. You might have choices!
Right here’s the way it appears to be like because the dressing comes collectively, it’s creamy, taste wealthy, and the right consistency to coat your slaw. You may make it as spicy (or not) as you want. Additionally, professional tip right here, I at all times make double the dressing and use it all through the week. 
Getting ready Spicy Sesame Coleslaw Elements
Above you’ll be able to see the slaw substances previous to dressing. Other than slicing the apple, you’ll be able to put together all the substances and the (sesame coleslaw dressing) a day or two earlier than serving. I like to present the sliced apple a shower in lemon or lime juice simply earlier than tossing to maintain them from discoloring. You’ll see that within the recipe directions so heads up on that entrance. You will get a bounce begin on the remainder of the shredding and chopping forward of time. 
Extra Concepts
I wished to focus on a number of of the methods I’ve loved this coleslaw in earlier weeks. I actually put in on, in, or beneath the whole lot round right here and it’s a bit uncontrolled. The apples and carrots deliver a little bit of candy, good to counterbalance with one thing spicy. You possibly can see tofu marinating up above, I wish to take that and cook dinner it rapidly in a skillet. Serve the tofu over the coleslaw with a aspect of soba noodles. A variety of the time I’ve some tofu marinating, so when I’ve this coleslaw within the fridge, boiling some soba turns this right into a tasty ten minute meal – see picture under.
Coleslaw and Tacos
Right here’s the opposite approach I wish to benefit from the spicy sesame coleslaw on repeat. You see it pictured under. It’s a taco scenario. That marinated tofu up above? I deal with it “fish taco-style” the place it’s dusted with a little bit of cornstarch after which pan-fried till it will get a crispy crust. Right here’s how the taco is assembled. Apply a skinny layer of smashed avocado on a tortilla. Add a layer of well-cooked tempeh bacon (Wayne buys the Lightlife Smoky Tempeh Bacon), after which a few of the cooked tofu. Brown the (stuffed) tortilla on each side till golden. Instantly fill with numerous coleslaw. I like somewhat further inexperienced salsa as properly. That is my favourite lunch proper now! Get the Vegan Fish Tacos recipe.
Right here’s yet another view of the taco + coleslaw scenario from a barely completely different angle so you’ll be able to actually get a way of what’s occurring inside. My primary recommendation is don’t skip on the coleslaw. I actually load it up.
Coleslaw Recipe Shortcuts
I’m going to complete with a number of shortcut ideas right here. As I point out up above you are able to do a lot of the prep for this recipe at any time when you might have a second or two. I usually make a double batch of the dressing so it’s prepared within the fridge for me. Then all you might want to do is a little bit of chopping, grating, or shredding, and also you’re good to go. I like handy minimize the cabbages right here, so it’s simply to my liking, however past that you’ve got choices. If in case you have a grating attachment to your meals processor, you need to use that for the carrots, apples, and scallions. It undoubtedly makes fast work issues. Alternately you need to use the massive aspect of a field grater for the carrots and apples. I usually use a knife for the whole lot (to keep away from extra dishes lol), however go along with no matter you want.
Wrapping issues up, it is a improbable slaw for on a regular basis meals or to take to a bbq. You possibly can see it right here as a part of this submit about feel-good lunch concepts. Home made coleslaw is a deal with but when this isn’t your fairly what you’re after, browse these different salad recipes, or do this Lime & Blistered Peanut Coleslaw, or this excellent Cucumber Salad, or this Shredded Egg Salad.
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