Let’s talk coleslaw.
I don’t really like the mayonnaisey stuff. I sorta don’t really like mayonnaise in general. Unless, of course, it’s in tuna salad. Or potato salad. But shredded lettuce and mayonnaise? No sir.
But this coleslaw is different!! It’s light and refreshing with a squeeze of lime, a pinch of red pepper flakes and dry salted peanuts for extra crunch.
And for some reason, it’s all I’m craving now that I can finally start to eat solid food again. You KNOW I’ve been sick if I turn down food. But now that I can finally eat again, I’m craving crunchy vegetables. Well, that and blue gatorade. It’s as if the stomach flu took away the old Jenna and in it’s place, left some veggie freak. How odd.
I like to keep the dressing light, too, so the cabbage isn’t drenched. The end result is a super light, crisp slaw that pretty much pairs with anything.
And my dirty little secret? You can buy pre-sliced napa cabbage in big bags at Trader Joe’s for $1.19.
Happy Friday!!! What are your plans this weekend?
Spicy Crunchy Asian Slaw
serves 2-4
Ingredients:
1 small head napa cabbage (or a bag from Trader Joe’s)
2 large carrots
1 bell pepper, very thinly sliced
2 T dry roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
1.5 tsp canola oil
1.5 tsp sesame oil
1 T rice vinegar
2 tsp soy sauce
1 lime, juiced
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Directions:
Shred the cabbage and place in a large bowl. Using a peeler or a grater, peel or grate the carrots and place in bowl with the cabbage along with the bell pepper. Toss well to combine.
In a small bowl or measuring cup, combing the canola oil, sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, lime juice, sugar and red pepper flakes. Drizzle over coleslaw and toss well. Add peanuts and serve.
Time:
15 minutes
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{ 76 comments… read them below or add one }
I completely agree with you – for years I thought I didn’t like coleslaw because of all the mayo but now that I’ve realised you can have it without, it’s changed my life (maybe a slight exaggeration…) Love the flavours in this, can’t wait to try it!
Agreed – hate traditional coleslaw but love asian style coleslaws with a vinegar based dressing. Once again, another one of your recipes that I will be adding to my list to make.
OveLoves
This is my kind of cole slaw. The flavors sound great and I love the addition of peanuts. Happy Friday to you!
Oh wow, great minds think alike because I have a very similar version of this in my lunch today! The only difference is that I don’t have the spicy peanuts, and added some flaked tuna for protein. I think I might need to throw the peanuts in though
Thanks for the idea, and have a fabulous weekend Jenna!
I am loving cabbage lately. The mayonnaise is still on the black list though.
i’m not a big mayo person either…but i do love lighter slaws and this one sounds perfect!
YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM. This WILL be made in my house ASAP, Jenna! This looks delicious. SO happy to hear that you’re feeling better. (:
I made something very similar for a Father’s Day cookout- I hate mayo! Anything like this without mayo is great in my book. Light & refreshing!
I’m with you, Jenna– not a big fan of mayo salads & coleslaws
This sounds so scrumptious. Love this!
this looks so devine! Especially for an end of summer picnic!!
GAH I HATE mayonnaise and stay far away from coleslaw! Will definitely be trying your version though, something about it screams ‘pad thai’
I made almost exactly the same slaw last week and ate on it for days. Ugh to mayo!
oh this sounds really good. I’m not a huge coleslaw fan, but for some reason this just seems like something I want to eat
I’ve actually been buying pre-packaged coleslaw the past few weeks that’s new out. I know – “make your own” – but it’s easier for me as it doesn’t go bad. And if I buy a whole cabbage – I know it’ll just sit there in the fridge and I won’t take the time to prepare it.
I think you can do coleslaw just like any salad. I add hummus and salsa to it! It makes a light side dish.
Glad your feeling better – did you have food poisoning or something going around?
Asian coleslaw is so much better than regular coleslaw! This looks like a great recipe!
I hated mayo for such a long time because of the mayo, never like it….this recipe is bomb! I cant wait to try it
It’s funny that when we get really sick or go thru a big change with our bodies that what emerges can be a little different, i.e. the total veggie craving Jenna part you mentioned
When i was pregnant, all I wanted/could keep down was white carbs, breads, starches, pastas, and NO fresh anything, nothing crunchy, just a total 180 from my usual. Random comment but your post jogged that memory for me.
The crunchy salad looks awesome! RIGHT up my alley!
I’m the same when I’m sick. I can’t look at vegetables usually and just want starches. But I’m not sick often – or pregnant
I loooooooove this slaw! I’m all about slaw but I too can’t get into the mayo-laden kind. I made one not too long ago with jalapenos that was okay but this one looks great… and I didn’t know TJ’s sold bagged cabbage so you better believe I’m all over that!
this looks like my kind of coleslaw! so light and flavorful – yum!
This is so beautiful! I personally LOVE mayonaisse, but I also love lighter more vinegar based slaws. This dish looks so pretty with all the bright colors, and I can only imagine that the flavors play off each other perfectly. I’ll be making this soon! Glad to hear you are feeling better.
Haha oh man. Blue gatorade. I haven’t had that since my softball days – I miss it!
Anyway, I digress. I love this version of coleslaw. I love mayo, but I find I’m not as big a fan of the slaws that are drenched in it so this is right up my alley.
Glad you’re feeling better!
That slaw looks dang good. I’m right there with you…no mayo-ey stuff on my cabbage either.
I made a Crunchy Asian salad earlier this summer it was tasty and mayo-free too: http://thelifeingreen.com/2011/06/29/no-waste-allowed
This looks wonderful! Alternatively, if you are really pressed for time, you can just use a little of Newman’s low fat ginger dressing with a sqeeze of lime instead. I’ve done this many times and it’s good and fast!
I’m a NO MAYO girl myself….yuck… Thanks this came just in time for my Asian inspired dinner tonight… I think I might stuff this into some spring rolls tonight…yum!
Thanks! xoxo from Trinidad
I had an insanely good asian slaw out to eat once. It was in a lime peanut sauce. I’ll never forget it, SO delicious! I prefer these kinds of slaws to mayo slaw any day!
I’m not a huge fan of mayo either. This looks fantastic. I’ve been craving Asian flavors lately.
yes, this is my type of slaw. I have a recipe very similiar too… I add tempeh bacon to it and greek yogurt as well!
Anything with “spicy” in the title, count me in!! Here is my recipe if you are interested, I look forward to trying yours as I always have TJ Slaw!
http://monicanelsonfitness.com/blog/meals/low-carb/brocoli-slaw/
I love cole slaw like this!! Can’t wait to try it
I have those little white dishes–they’re so cute! And a nice snack serving size
Oh girl, now that’s my kinda slaw!
I think I just like saying SLAW.
This looks so tasty! I’m with you on the mayo-laden coleslaw. I love vinaigrette on coleslaw – esp w purple cabbage. Is this a coleslaw that you can dress and then eat for days, or does it get soggy/I should leave the dressing separate? I’m thinking it would be nice to mix up my usual lunch salad and make up a big batch on Sunday night.
I’m with you a 100% on the mayo. Ick ick ick.
But be careful with the cabbage…It can be rough on a sensitive tummy. It’s no surprise that you can make even a photo of coleslaw look pretty.
Ever since I tried a coleslaw WITHOUT mayo laden dressings, I’ve been a convert. There’s no going back. I’m pretty sure if cabbage could talk, it would beg to be served in such a fresh, flavorful way. Yes, absolutely…forget the mayo!!
Thanks for this recipe! Can’t wait to try it out for my next cookout!
I have a recipe that uses toasted ramen noodles for the “crunch” instead of peanuts. I don’t mind mayonaise, but i do prefer slaw to be much lighter. This looks good!
Yes Jenna, you MUST try your recipe with toasted ramen noodles!! It is off the hook with the noodles!! Just shred them into small pieces.
mmmm I agree, thats how we always eat it!! and sometimes toasted almonds, sometimes sunflower seeds
Looks delicious and light, especially since there isn’t any mayo. Bet it would be tasty with some seared tuna steak
Can’t wait to try it out!
Asian slaws are so much better than the mayo kind!
How did I not know about the pre shredded cabbage? That’s amazing b/c 1. who likes shredding it? and 2. I can never seem to use the whole cabbage!
This looks amazing! I never get to eat coleslaw because I can’t stand the thought of mayonnaise. I can’t wait to try this!!
I didn’t know so many people hated mayonnaise! I would understand why – just the thought of so many concentrated calories in one teaspoon is enough to make me shudder! Thanks for the recipe! I’m excited to try it out. And all those veggies will surely make this a treat for those going for a healthy lifestyle.
I love cole slaw like this! It’s super refreshing!
So pretty! Almost looks like green papaya salad
!! rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil pair together SO well. I’ve been using those 3 as a simple dressing for every salad under the sun!
Glad you’re feeling better! I love the tang of lime juice, green onion, and salty peanuts in this recipe!
mmm I make a similar Asian slaw and I LOVE IT. I have to stop myself from eating the whole bowl. haha I use toasted almonds in mine, but peanuts sound so much better today for some reason.
I actually ADORE regular coleslaw… but lightly dressed. I never was a fan of mayonnaise until now.. my tastes are changing so much as I get older!
Yur slaw looks awesome….. it would make a super fun potluck dish. Not everyone likes mayo based slaws like I do! You can totally write this one off as a kind of… salad? Super healthy
I usually hate all cole slaws as well – that darn mayonnaise! But this actually sounds appetizing! =] When I am sick the blue gatorade is my go-to too! Feel Better!
Looks wonderful! A friend of mine made a recipe similar to this…. except she added dry ramen noodles. A different type of crunch, I know.
I’ve been craving something like this! Asian flavors are so bomb in the summer time! Just a question though – did you use a mix of regular cabbage and napa? Because the pics look like green cabbage and I want to make this correctly so I can eat it!
I know hate is a strong word but I hate mayo. With a passion. I even dislike things that resemble mayo. Garlic aioli? No thanks, it’s just a fancy word for mayo. It even took me a long time to warm up to creamy salad dressings but I’m slowly getting over that
yum! yum! yum! i always try to keep rice vinegar stocked in the pantry for salads, especially for Asian dressings- so delicious and really irreplaceable <3
xoxo
MMMMMM this looks absolutely crunchy, citrusy and refreshing. Totally what I’m in the mood for — a perfect end of summer light side dish.
Ah yes, a kindred spirit you are. No thanks to mayo. Yes to crunchy fresh cabbage. Glad to hear you’re feeling better.
Looks so good! definitely going to have to make that soon! reminds me of the Chinese chicken salad I grew up eating from costo!
This looks great and I love all of the different flavors….you could also probably add this to quite a few Asian dishes for some extra crunch (like you add slaw to tacos.) I am getting over being stomach sick, too – if you are craving veggies you definitely must feel better! I only want carbs and sweets right now so you are definitely better off than me!
Glad you’re feeling better Jenna! Terrible cold going around over here on the other side of the world – crummy. The slaw looks amazing – what a great and easy side to go with all sorts of Asian-y things!
I hate mayonnaise so I’m looking forward to making a cole slaw recipe with no mayo!
Yum! I don’t like mayonnaise, either, but I love coleslaw.
THANK YOU FOR THIS RECIPE!
oh boy jenna you are reading my mind. i am on a detox and bought some pre-shredded slaw mix and have been trying to figure out what to do with it. most of the ingredients listed in your asian slaw are approved and would be perfect! will have to sub peanuts for almonds and use a tahini sauce that is non-gluten but i am sure it will be good! thanks!!!
Oh, sorry to hear you were sick Jenna! Glad you’re stomach is starting to crave things again. And with this fabulous recipe, how can it not?! Looks awesome.
I made this yesterday for a cookout. GREAT! Thanks for sharing:)
Feel better and enjoy your last day with your parents!
We don’t like the mayonaseey stuff either- this recipe looks wonderful!
Totally agree about mayo. For some reason, my husband loves it and would eat it straight out of the bottle so we usually compromise with cole slaw and just add a bit.
This slaw looks amazing! I’m not a fan of mayo slaw either (sounds like there are a lot of us), the mayo just covers up the flavor of everything in the slaw. This recipe has been added to me “need-to-make” list.
This looks so delicious! Can’t wait to try it! Thanks for sharing!
I would love it if you would share this and/or any other projects you have been up to at Tuesday Talent Show at Chef In Training Tomorrow! Plus there is going to be a fun giveaway too! Thanks so much and I hope to see you there!
-Nikki
http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/
Hi Jenna!
I love your blog! I just made your Asian coleslaw recipe and raspberry jam brownies tonight and they were delicious! My husband loved both! And if you are ever in Paris again, feel free to visit us as we will be here for another few years
Alice
Oh my Lord & Taylor, does this ever sound good! If only I had money to go the the store and purchase all the things I would need, I would make an enormous batch!!
my oh my ! that sounds wonderful!! thanks for the recipe, Jenna!!
best.coleslaw.ever. thank youuuu!
I loved this recipe, it was exactly what I was looking for!
I made two modifications:
1. I used a touch of agave syrup instead of sugar
2. I used PB2′s organic powdered peanut butter instead of peanuts which I added to the dressing. This stuff is awesome, it has all the flavor of peanut butter, but it has 85% less fat!
The dish is so fresh and just scrumptious!
I made a similar recipe just yesterday evening, from my (French) Chinese cookbook. Differences are there is no sugar, lime and peanuts but there is garlic, and I added chopped cilantro. It was absolutely fabulous!… I’ll definitely add in the peanuts next time, though.
Do you use TOASTED sesame oil in here (the dark kind) or just the regular oil?
It really doesn’t matter—either is fine but you will get more flavor with toasted.
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