Southeast Asian Herb Slaw

If your family is anything like mine, then anytime there’s a barbecue going one, there is coleslaw to be found! There’s a reason why KFC sells it with their chicken, and that’s because this salad (or slaw) goes so well with grilled meats and hot summer days. Coleslaw originates from the Netherlands and means “cabbage salad.” Because the original cabbage salad was also chilled, a lot of people call it “cold slaw”. These days, slaw really refers to any shredded salads that are saturated with dressing. They can be hot or cold and can include any vegetable that gives a good crunch.

While my family loves having a traditional coleslaw, sometimes it’s a good idea to throw something new into the mix. So if you’re looking for a fresh twist on a classic family favorite, then look no further than this delicious Southeast Asian Herb Slaw. It’s tangy and goes especially well with any grilled seafood.

Southeast Asian Herb Slaw

Ingredients:

Slaw

• 1 c. shredded green cabbage
• 1 c. shredded red cabbage
• 1 c. shredded cabbage
• 1 c. fresh whole mint leaves
• 1 c. fresh whole cilantro leaves (with stems)

Dressing

• 1/2 c. fresh lime juice
• 1/4 c. nam pla (Southeast Asian fish sauce, grab some here)
• 3 Tbsp. peeled and minced ginger
• 2 Tbsp. Asian chile-garlic paste (grab some here)
• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 3 Tbsp. cracked white pepper (grab some whole white pepper here)

Process:

Begin by mixing the cabbage, carrots, mint, basil, and cilantro in a large bowl until well combined. Then, in a smaller bowl, whisk the lime juice, nam pla, ginger, chile-garlic paste, brown sugar, and white pepper together until nicely blended. If you need, you can store these items separately in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Before serving, pour the dressing over the slaw and toss until everything is evenly coated. Last, salt and pepper to taste before serving.

As I said above, this slaw works with any grilled meat, but is especially great with grilled seafood! So the next time your grilling, ditch the chicken and pull out the salmon fillets. Your family will appreciate the change.

Happy Cooking!