Asian Veggie Slaw with Creamy Dressing

Ingredients

Estimated total cost: €3.73 · €0.62/serving

• 1/4 cup mayonnaiseEst. price €0.15–€0.35
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegarEst. price €0.20–€0.45
• 1 tablespoon mirinEst. price €0.25–€0.50
• 1 tablespoon soy sauceEst. price €0.10–€0.25
• Juice of 1 lemonEst. price €0.30–€0.60
• 1 small jalapeo chile, seeded and very finely choppedEst. price €0.20–€0.40
• 1/2 English (hothouse) cucumber, partially peeled (to form vertical stripes of green peel and white flesh)Est. price €0.40–€0.80
• 1/4 small head red cabbage, cored and very finely shreddedEst. price €0.12–€0.18
• 1/4 small head napa (Chinese) cabbage, very finely shreddedEst. price €0.14–€0.21
• 4 red, icicle, or French Breakfast radishes, trimmed and very thinly slicedEst. price €0.40–€0.80

Steps

1. 1

   Prepare the dressing by mixing mayonnaise, rice vinegar, mirin, soy sauce, lemon juice, and jalapeño in a small bowl. Keep it aside for later use.

2. 2

   Begin by cutting the cucumber in half lengthwise and removing the seeds using a teaspoon. Proceed to slice the cucumber into thin half-moons, approximately 1/8-inch thick. Transfer the sliced cucumber into a spacious bowl. Combine the red cabbage, napa cabbage, radishes, carrots, red pepper, green onions, and sesame seeds with the cucumbers in the bowl. Drizzle an adequate amount of dressing over the ingredients until lightly coated. Season with salt and pepper, then mix thoroughly to blend all components evenly. The salad is now ready to be served promptly.

3. 3

   African slaves introduced sesame seeds to America, known as benne in their language, which later became popular in the American South, particularly in the Low Country near Charleston, South Carolina. While black, brown, and red varieties exist, the most prevalent is a pale ivory-yellow color. When aiming for a striking visual impact, I prefer using black sesame seeds. Sesame seeds offer a nutty and sweet flavor profile suitable for both savory and sweet dishes. Interestingly enough, Mama has such an aversion to it that she meticulously removes the seeds from her hamburger bun.

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• Cultural note

  Asian Veggie Slaw with Creamy Dressing is inspired by Asian cuisine, combining traditional ingredients like soy sauce, rice vinegar, and mirin with a variety of fresh vegetables. The creamy dressing adds a modern twist to this classic dish, making it a popular and flavorful side dish in many Asian-influenced meals.

• Seasonal note

  This Asian Veggie Slaw is best made in the summer when cucumbers, radishes, red cabbage, and bell peppers are in season. These fresh vegetables are at their peak flavor and quality during this time.

• Health note

  This dish is a good source of fiber and vitamins A, C, and K from the colorful array of vegetables used. It is relatively low in calories and provides a moderate amount of healthy fats from sesame seeds and mayonnaise. However, it is important to watch the sodium content due to the soy sauce and mayonnaise.