This Asian-inspired slaw is filled with cashews and pear, then tossed in a simple ginger dressing. Serve it as a side dish or on top of teriyaki chicken.
I'm not kidding when I say that I could eat this salad all day long. Not only is it dressed with a vinaigrette made of some of my favorite flavors, ginger and sesame, but it is healthy and refreshing, which is a nice contrast to some of the heavier stews and soups that are passing across my stovetop. While cabbage, cashews and pear may seem like a mismatched team, the sweet and nutty flavors work as well as football players on Dancing with the Stars. Seriously, who knew those big guys could be so light on their feet?
After our bout of snow, we have been spoiled by a gorgeous October, with temperatures in the mid-sixties and abundant sun warming us to our core. I've actually been wearing shorts on my daily runs, though I don't claim it's been pretty (faded suntan makes for glowing white legs). As though sensing that our mild days are numbered, the boys spent most of the weekend outside, playing on the swings, kicking the soccer ball around and making "nature stew" in their dumptruck. What is nature stew, you ask? Soft tomatoes from the vine, sage and mint leaves, grass and the odd weed. I'm sure some little garden creature will have a feast.
My husband and I are pulling the remaining pears off of our little-tree-that-could, which provided plenty of fruit this season for Crockpot Pear & Ginger Applesauce. As much as we enjoy eating them straight or in applesauce, the pears add a natural sweetness to salads such as this Asian slaw. This salad is the last hurrah before the cold weather hits this week and I am savoring every last bite of it.
The recipe:
In a large bowl, combine Napa cabbage, red cabbage, pear, cashews and cilantro. Toss to combine.
For the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sesame oil, canola oil, lime juice and grated ginger.
Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss gently to coat. Serve.
Other slaw recipes:
Cookin' Canuck's Spicy Asian Slaw with Napa Cabbage, Carrots & Ginger Dressing
Smitten Kitchen's Mango Slaw with Cashews & Mint
David Lebovitz's Cole Slaw with Wasabi Dressing
Guilty Kitchen's Apple Fennel Slaw
TasteFood's Kale Slaw
Asian Slaw with Cashews, Pear & Ginger Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ medium Nappa Cabbage thinly sliced crosswise
- ¼ medium red cabbage thinly sliced
- 1 Bartlett pear cut into ¾-inch pieces
- ½ cup raw cashews toasted
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine Napa cabbage, red cabbage, pear, cashews and cilantro. Toss to combine.
- For the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sesame oil, canola oil, lime juice and grated ginger.
- Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss gently to coat. Serve.
Nutrition
Wendy (The Local Cook)
I can just imagine all these wonderful flavors (I'm a huge ginger fan). What a great winter salad! Thank you for sharing at the salad recipe roundup.
sweetsugarbelle
This looks amazing, Dara!
Ashley's Cooking Adventures
Pears in slaw, what a wonderful idea!
Diane {Created by Diane}
looks delicious, flavors como is so GREAT! Wish I had a bowl full right now 🙂
Kita
I just recently became a fan of slaw in general never knowing it outside of that small dish of mayo you get from time to time at a restaurant) but I'm loving it - especially ones with kicks in flavor like this one certainly has! This is a beautiful slaw and the cashews and pears too... beautiful!
chris
I would be happy if all I had to eat was Asian slaw. I make it all the time and it's great for lunches. The addition of cashews is a yummy twist I will need to try!
Courtney
I need to try this !! May sub with toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower since I can't have cashews. Hopefully it won't alter
marla
I could eat this salad all day long & all year long. Love. It.
Carolyn
This really sounds wonderful, Dara. I love sesame ginger dressing too, so I can imagine how much you like this salad!
Cookbook Queen
Loving the flavor combos!! Looks so bright, fresh and yummy.