🥗 Asian Cabbage Coleslaw is a delightful and vibrant salad that combines fresh and crunchy vegetables with a flavorful Asian-inspired dressing. It’s a popular dish that’s not only delicious but also easy to prepare.
📜 History:
Coleslaw, in general, has a long history with roots in various cultures, but the Asian twist on coleslaw has become increasingly popular in recent years due to the fusion of flavors. The exact origin of Asian Cabbage Coleslaw is a bit harder to pin down, as it’s a modern interpretation influenced by the fusion of Asian and Western cuisines.
🥦 Components:
The primary components of Asian Cabbage Coleslaw include:
- Cabbage: Typically, napa cabbage or regular green cabbage is used. It’s thinly sliced or shredded.
- Carrots: Grated or julienned carrots add color and sweetness.
- Bell Peppers: Sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or green) give the coleslaw a crisp texture and vibrant color.
- Scallions: Thinly sliced scallions add a mild onion flavor.
- Toasted Nuts and Seeds: Often, a mixture of toasted sesame seeds and slivered almonds is used for a delightful crunch.
- Dressing: The dressing is where the Asian influence shines. It typically includes ingredients like soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and a touch of sweetness, often from honey or brown sugar.
👩🍳 Preparation:
Here are the steps to prepare Asian Cabbage Coleslaw:
Ingredients:
- 1 medium cabbage, shredded
- 2-3 carrots, grated
- 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 2-3 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
Dressing:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Steps:
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, grated carrots, sliced bell pepper, and scallions.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients: soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, ginger, and garlic.
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Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss well to coat all the vegetables evenly.
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Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds and slivered almonds on top. These add a lovely texture and nutty flavor to the coleslaw.
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Give it a final toss to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
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Let the coleslaw sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld, and the cabbage to soften slightly.
⏰ Time Needed:
The preparation of Asian Cabbage Coleslaw should take around 15-20 minutes. The coleslaw will benefit from resting in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, but it can be prepared in advance and left to chill for several hours or even overnight for the best flavor.
Enjoy your delicious and colorful Asian Cabbage Coleslaw! 🥢🥗😊
🥗 Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Asian Cabbage Coleslaw:
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, approximately 1 cup):
- Calories: 80-100 kcal
- Total Fat: 4-6 grams
- Saturated Fat: 0.5-1 gram
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 300-400 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 9-11 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 2-3 grams
- Sugars: 5-7 grams
- Protein: 2-3 grams
Key Health Information:
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Low in Calories: Asian Cabbage Coleslaw is relatively low in calories, making it a great option for those looking to maintain or lose weight.
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High in Fiber: This coleslaw is rich in dietary fiber due to the cabbage and vegetables. Fiber aids digestion and helps you feel full, making it a satisfying and healthy option.
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Vitamins and Minerals: It’s a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C (from cabbage and peppers), vitamin A (from carrots), and various B vitamins from the vegetables and nuts.
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Healthy Fats: The sesame seeds and almonds provide healthy fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats are beneficial for heart health.
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Low in Saturated Fat and Cholesterol: This coleslaw is very low in saturated fat and cholesterol, which is heart-healthy.
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Sodium Content: The sodium content can vary depending on the soy sauce and other ingredients used. Be mindful of the sodium if you are on a low-sodium diet.
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Antioxidants: The various colorful vegetables in the coleslaw provide antioxidants that can help protect your cells from damage.
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Customization: You can further enhance the health benefits by adjusting the dressing. For example, you can reduce the amount of added sugar or use a sugar substitute for a lower-calorie option.
Remember that the nutritional values can vary depending on the specific ingredients and quantities used in your coleslaw recipe, especially the dressing. Be sure to account for any variations in your own preparation. This coleslaw can be a healthy and nutritious addition to your meal, especially when paired with lean proteins or whole grains. 🥢🥗🍽️
