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
Printable Recipe
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.
Jeanette
This salad is right up my alley - love all the flavors in it, and the addition of sweet pears is perfect - you're so lucky to have that little pear tree!
Krista {Budget Gourmet Mom}
Beautiful dish, Dara! It reminds of a recipe that my aunt makes and it's a family favorite. Craving it!
This October has been remarkably nice, hasn't it? Just wait until tomorrow...I'm not sure I'm ready.
Feast on the Cheap
I cannot wait to make this. It literally sounds like the perfect salad.
Liz
Dara, I think I could eat this for breakfast, lunch and dinner, too! I adore an Asian take on slaw and your additions look marvelous!
Kimby
"Nature stew"... gotta love it! 🙂 Your salad has such a wonderful mix of flavors and textures, Dara -- looking forward to trying it!
carolinaheartstrings
That sounds and looks so fantastic. I would say that is the perfect melding of flavors and textures. Cannot wait to try it.
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.
omg can't wait to make this!
JulieD
I love pears...can you believe I have never had them in a salad before? Must try!
a spoonful of yumm
love the flavors !! looks so delish 😀
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
Dara this looks awesome. I love dressings like this and the salad looks so light and bright and perfect!