Rainbow Slaw with Peanut Ginger Dressing

When it comes to healthy food, I believe that colorful, intensely flavorful ingredients are the true key to success. Colorful food is usually full of vitamins and nutrients which satiates the body and keeps you feeling fuller longer. There are also a few key ingredients I continually rely on to intensify the flavors of healthy food. Many of those ingredients are found in this Rainbow Slaw with Peanut Ginger Dressing recipe. It is a perfect go-to recipe for make ahead lunches or dinner (read: convenient) and it really is delicious, and so satisfying.

Below are a couple of the ingredients I often use to intensify flavor:

Limes. When I use limes, I will use the juice and the zest. Delicious food calls for balance of flavors and the juice will add the pungeant, tangy, sour note we all know and love. Lime zest, or any citrus zest, really, will brighten up your dish, without adding sourness. Zest has an intense lime flavor without the tartness.

Lime zest + juice is the perfect addition to many Asian or Latin inspired dishes. You will find that I use them regularly to intensify a recipe’s flavor.

Fresh herbs. I love all fresh herbs because they have the ability to elevate most any dish, but cilantro may be my favorite of all time. It is intensely flavored (which is why some people do not like it) and it adds a fresh note to balance rich, slow-cooked food, or add interest to an otherwise boring salad.

Soy sauce. Have you heard the term umami? It basically means “savory”, which is like a rich, more-than-salty, full-flavored taste. Think juicy burger, roasted mushrooms, a hot bowl of ramen, and yep – soy sauce. Umami is hard to describe, but it’s dang delicious. If you are gluten-free, a good soy sauce substitute is coconut aminos.

All of these ingredients are found in the Rainbow Slaw with Peanut Ginger Dressing. Add protein, like grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu, to eat as your main course, serve as a side dish, or make ahead for a flavorful, healthy lunch or dinner on the go.

Rainbow Slaw with Peanut Ginger Dressing
Print Recipe
Serves: 4-6 Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

Rainbow Slaw Ingredients:

6 cups red cabbage, thinly shredded in food processor or mandolin

1 orange pepper, sliced in thin strips

1 red or yellow pepper, sliced thin in strips

½ cup chopped cilantro

1 jalapeno, sliced (with seeds), optional

¼ cup rice wine vinegar

¼ cup olive oil

2 tbsp. honey

Zest + juice of 2 limes

2 tsp. kosher salt

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Peanut Ginger Dressing

3 tbsp natural peanut butter

1 tbsp honey

1 tsp grated ginger

zest + juice of a lime

1 tsp rice wine vinegar

1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce

2 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions

1

Place all slaw ingredients in a large bowl. Toss together to ensure cabbage and peppers are well coated in the dressing. Store in fridge for up to one week.

2

For Peanut Ginger dressing, combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Pulse until all ingredients are well combined. Store separate from slaw in fridge for up to a week.

3

To serve, drizzle peanut dressing over slaw right before serving. Add chicken, shrimp, or tofu for extra protein.