We had a bunch of cabbage come out of the backyard this yr. I principally made one factor with it, a feathery slaw constituted of shredded inexperienced and purple cabbages, apples, carrots, and scallions tossed with a spicy sesame dressing. Fingers down, it’s my favourite coleslaw recipe. When 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 awesome slaw in your fingers. It’s good by itself. This slaw is incredible 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 a giant 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 expertise. I talked about it at size once I posted this Lime & Blistered Peanut Coleslaw years again, and it applies right here as nicely. The cabbage must be chopped skinny, whisper skinny. I like every chew to be feathery versus coarse or chunky. My feeling that an awesome coleslaw recipe is created with good knife expertise and a brief record of easy-to-find components stands all these years later. Equal significance is positioned on the components and the lower of the cabbage.
Does Coleslaw Comprise Dairy?
It doesn’t should, however it might probably. This one doesn’t and I find it irresistible. The truth is, it’s most likely 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 fantastically creamy with out dairy or mayo, and a rainbow of shredded crunchy components makes issues lovely.
Spicy Sesame Coleslaw Dressing
The bottom of this coleslaw is fairly simple – 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 part you want), and a balancing squeeze of contemporary lime juice. The dressing coats all of the slaw components 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) may also do the trick. You have got choices!
Right here’s the way it appears to be like because the dressing comes collectively, it’s creamy, taste wealthy, and the proper consistency to coat your slaw. You can also make it as spicy (or not) as you want. Additionally, professional tip right here, I all the time make double the dressing and use it all through the week. 
Making ready Spicy Sesame Coleslaw Substances
Above you possibly can see the slaw components previous to dressing. Other than slicing the apple, you possibly can put together the entire components and the (sesame coleslaw dressing) a day or two earlier than serving. I like to provide 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 may get a leap begin on the remainder of the shredding and chopping forward of time. 
Extra Concepts
I needed 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 all the pieces 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 may 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. Numerous 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 photograph beneath.
Coleslaw and Tacos
Right here’s the opposite method I wish to benefit from the spicy sesame coleslaw on repeat. You see it pictured beneath. 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 among the cooked tofu. Brown the (stuffed) tortilla on each side till golden. Instantly fill with a number of coleslaw. I like somewhat further inexperienced salsa as nicely. That is my favourite lunch proper now! Get the Vegan Fish Tacos recipe.
Right here’s another view of the taco + coleslaw scenario from a barely completely different angle so you possibly can actually get a way of what’s occurring inside. My essential 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 solutions right here. As I point out up above you are able to do many of the prep for this recipe at any time when you might have a second or two. I sometimes make a double batch of the dressing so it’s prepared within the fridge for me. Then all it’s essential do is a little bit of chopping, grating, or shredding, and also you’re good to go. I like at hand lower the cabbages right here, so it’s simply to my liking, however past that you’ve choices. In case you have a grating attachment to your meals processor, you should use that for the carrots, apples, and scallions. It positively makes fast work issues. Alternately you should use the big aspect of a field grater for the carrots and apples. I sometimes use a knife for all the pieces (to keep away from extra dishes lol), however go together with no matter you want.
Wrapping issues up, this can be a incredible slaw for on a regular basis meals or to take to a bbq. You may see it right here as a part of this put up 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 glorious Cucumber Salad, or this Shredded Egg Salad.
Proceed studying Spicy Sesame Coleslaw on 101 Cookbooks
