Friday, October 22, 2010

Spicy Cilantro-Peanut Slaw


The weather outside does not correspond to this summery slaw in the least, but we can pretend right? Besides, the sweaty sunny days of summer will soon be at our doorstep (oh happy day!) and for the folks up at the top end of the globe, I'm sure there's still a few t-shirt days left before the freezing begins in full force. 

I made this on the first sunny day of spring to celebrate the new season. We also busted out the marinade and braai tongs and had ourselves a braai for two on the balcony, overlooking the marvellous mountains of Stellenbosch.* There is something strangely intimate about a braai for two I'll have you know. The cats looked on in awe, as the flames danced and teased them and soon the satisfying sizzle of the meat could be heard, grilling to perfection atop the smouldering coals. I suspect heaven might feature the smell of lightly charred meat.

We served our braaied beauties with a fresh and crunchy slaw, just the thing to put us in a spring-y mood. Bursting with the flavours of Asia, it was a nice change of pace from the usual coleslaw, swimming in mayo. And dare I say, ten times tastier? There, I said it.

*Oh how I'm going to miss that balcony!


Spicy Cilantro-Peanut Slaw
Slightly adapted from Kalyn's Kitchen
Serves 4

This is lovely served alongside Coconut & Coriander Grilled Chicken

1/2 small head green cabbage, finely chopped
1/2 cup peanuts
4 -5 spring onion, chopped
1/2 cup fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
juice of 1/2 lemon

1 tsp brown sugar
1 tbsp sunflower or peanut oil
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sriracha sauce (spicy garlic sauce)

1. In a large bowl, toss together cabbage, peanuts, spring onion and coriander.
2. Make a dressing by combining lemon juice, sugar, oil, soy sauce and sriracha sauce together in a small bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed (I find it's plenty salty enough though), then drizzle over salad and toss to coat evenly.

Serve immediately.

25 comments:

Mindy on October 24, 2010 3:16 am said...

What an innovative twist on cole slaw. It's Fall here, moving on to colder days, but I think I'll try it anyways.

Marisa on October 24, 2010 3:16 am said...

That's the spirit!

Marisa on October 24, 2010 3:16 am said...

I bet it will taste spectacular with garden fresh coriander! Hoping to have my own herb garden soon.

Kit said...

Sounds like a great improvement on coleslaw. I've never been into mayo- drenched cabbage! Now my herb garden is growing I'll have plenty of coriander to experiment with, if can be patient a little while longer.

Eliana on October 24, 2010 3:16 am said...

With this gorgeous creative I can pretend it's summer all year long!

swathi on October 24, 2010 3:16 am said...

Your slaw looks delicious with full of green colot

Faith on October 24, 2010 3:16 am said...

Your slaw sounds like its full of goodies! I love adding peanuts to slaw for a little crunch.

Marisa on October 24, 2010 3:16 am said...

And a big thank you to you for brightening my day with your kind words!

Bobbi on October 24, 2010 3:16 am said...

Yum! All of the recipes on your site look so delicious and the photos are amazing! Thanks for stopping by my blog. You should definitely try the chocolate rosemary cake; it is so good and very easy to throw together:)

Valerie said...

What a beautiful slaw ( I love the various shades of green flecked with brown!) And it sounds delicious too.

I hope we have a few more t-shirt worthy days! :~)

Marisa on October 24, 2010 3:16 am said...

I love that too!

Nina - My Easy Cooking said...

I love the bowl, the salad, the combination and I LOVE being able to write a comment!!!!

nancy@skinnykitchen.com said...

I too love slaws any time of year. This recipe looks and sounds yummy!

Marisa on October 24, 2010 3:16 am said...

Turn up the heat, pour yourself some cocktails and hire a handsome, topless man to serve you this salad. Better than summer I would think. :-)

Marisa on October 24, 2010 3:16 am said...

So true! I'm a sucker for anything with coriander.

Joanne on October 24, 2010 3:16 am said...

I've made this slaw before and you're so right. It's way better than the mayo version.

I'm glad you enjoyed your romantic moonlit braai. You've got me in the mood for summer to return...I think I'm going to have to make this slaw.

The Chef-ette on October 24, 2010 3:16 am said...

Yum!! Anything with coriander is simply A in my books! Delicious looking slaw :)

LimeCake on October 26, 2010 7:57 am said...

that's a delicious looking slaw! love the fresh flavours without a goupy dressing!

Marisa on October 26, 2010 7:57 am said...

I know! Aren't goopy dressings the worst?

Steve Mabbutt on October 27, 2010 10:13 pm said...

No sriracha to be found, so winged the dressing with fresh garlic and chili sauce last night. The fresh coriander and crunch of the nuts made this an instant hit with the household. Every bit as good as your cool, inviting pic!

Marisa on October 28, 2010 10:15 am said...

I bet it would be even better with fresh garlic! Always nice to hear when people made & enjoyed one of my recipes. :-)

Rosemary Gough on October 29, 2010 10:25 am said...

I love the braai for 2, it's so cosy sitting together around the fire. This is a recipe which will go down well in Stillbaai where we braai just about everyday!

Blackbookkitchendiaries on October 29, 2010 9:28 pm said...

i love the simplicity of this dish:) it's so pretty too.

Marilyn on July 18, 2011 1:57 pm said...

I've made this many times since I found your post. I love it so much that I usually eat half of it and then call the family to eat. It is the ONLY slaw the family has ever been willing to eat.

Marisa on July 18, 2011 2:29 pm said...

@Marilyn - What a lovely comment! So happy that you & your family love this.

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