I’ve kind of fallen in love with this recipe, which is just a component in a meal to come. So I guess it’s a “teaser” recipe. Bright and crunchy with a Vietnamese “flair” this is a marvelous slaw to serve with all kinds of things.

Vaguely Vietnamese Slaw

The upcoming recipe is Vaguely Vietnamese Slow Cooker Tacos, and I’ll have that out to you, soon. It’s been a crazy, crazy week! Painting, puppy classes, yard work & Halloween decorating! But back to the slaw – I’ve already made it twice this week. The flavors are a bit addicting.

While I served this slaw initially with Slow Cooker Tacos, it also came out again as a side with some pulled pork sandwiches and a side with plain old sandwiches for lunch. It just gets better and better over time.

Vaguely Vietnamese Slaw

On the first day, it was bright, crunchy and a little benign. The second day the cabbage had absorbed a bit more flavor and the slaw developed a bit more of a kick.

With a slaw like this, you can add just about any vegetable your heart desires, but I stuck with the basics. The recipe in the Times used Asian pear (which, alas, the folks apparently took a bite out of and tossed in the trash) and cucumber, which I forgot. I loved it as is, and repeated my “mistakes” for the second round!

Vaguely Vietnamese Slaw

• ⅓ cup rice vinegar
• juice & zest of one lime
• 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon sesame seed oil, toasted sesame seed oil if you have it
• 2 tablespoons neutral oil
• 1 to 2 heaping teaspoons of Sambal Oelek, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 small green cabbage, cored and sliced thinly
• 1 quarter red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 medium-size carrots, peeled and sliced into julienne
• 3 or 4 radishes, thinly sliced
• ½ bunch fresh cilantro, rinsed, dried and roughly chopped, optional

For the dressing, in a small bowl or jar, combine the vinegar, lime & zest, ginger, oils, Sambal Oelek or Sriracha to taste, sugar & fish sauce. Mix together.

Place slaw ingredients, the cabbage, onion, carrots and radishes and mix together. Add dressing to moisten (there may be a bit leftover dressing) and toss to combine. Garnish with cilantro if desired.

This is best if made a little bit ahead and continues to improve with time.

Adapted from the New York Times