Spicy Cilantro Peanut Slaw

In coming up with what to complement the Smothered Pork Chops I was about to cook, I thought, "I want to make a peanut slaw!" My favorite peanut slaw comes from my favorite BBQ joint based in LA called Lucille's BBQ. I googled peanut slaw and found this awesome recipe.

Courtesy of Kalyn's Kitchen (kalynskitchen.blogspot.com)

Ingredients

• 1/2 head of green cabbage
• 1/2 cup peanuts, chopped
• 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup cilantro
• Salt
• Black pepper
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey or sugar
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp Sriracha
• 1/4 cup canola or peanut oil

Directions

Cut cabbage head in half and save half for another salad. Remove core from the half you're using, then cut cabbage into very thin slices (less than 1/4 inch) and turn cutting board the other direction and cut again to chop into very small pieces. Thinly slice green onions, chop cilantro, and chop peanuts.

In a bowl or glass measuring cup, mix together rice vinegar, sweetener of your choice, sesame oil, soy sauce, and Sriracha sauce if using. Use a whisk to mix in oil until dressing is well-combined.

In large plastic or glass bowl, gently combine chopped cabbage, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro. Add dressing a little at a time, until salad seems as wet as you'd like it. (You may not need all the dressing.) Add chopped peanuts, and stir a few times until peanuts are mixed in. Taste salad for seasoning, and add salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired. Serve immediately.

Review

DELICIOUS! This felt like a combination of my favorite peanut slaw from Lucille's and my favorite Asian chicken salad from California Pizza Kitchen. It's light, healthy, and I love the crunch that the peanuts add to each bite. Very cheap and easy to make. Just to change it up, I want to try adding carrot shavings and wontons crisps.