Salade a Trois

No, not quite as exciting as a menage a trois, but I’m vegan, not poly! Lame jokes aside…I went up to my dad’s house for dinner the other day on one of the hottest days I’ve ever known. His plan for dinner was steamed veggies and Tofurkey Sausages. Nuts to that, said I. It’s too damn hot for steamed veggies! So I made a trio of salads, each of which received rave reviews from dear Papa (but, of course, he loves just about everything I cook).

First up was the Caesar Salad from Veganomicon, by the fabulously talented Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero. Recipe can be found here. I’m not a croutons kinda gal, so I always omit them. Let me tell you, this Caesar is spot on. I had reservations about the ability to recreate Caesar vegan style, but man, oh man, are they now laid to rest!

Next was a warm chickpea-broccoli salad slathered in one of my favorites, Maple Tahini Dressing.

Finally, something I’ve never made before, an Asian-inspired slaw. I hate coleslaw with the fire of a thousand suns, but I liked the idea of crisp veggies with a spicy dressing, so I started chopping and grating and pouring and mixing. I gotta say, it was a winner right out of the gate.

Asian-Inspired Slaw
Note: the dressing measurements are very rough because I was rather haphazardly throwing things in. Next time I make it I’ll note what I did and edit this to reflect it. As always, though, follow your tongue, you’ll know when it’s right!
One carrot, washed and grated
1/4 red cabbage well chopped
1 Granny Smith apple, julienned
1 pear, julienned
1/2 c. snap peas, julienned

2 T sesame oil
juice of one lemon
1 t maple syrup
1/2 t ginger grated or minced
2 T orange juice
1/4-1/2 t red pepper flakes (to your preferred heat)

1) Combine veggies in large bowl. Use a bowl bigger than you think you need. Inevitably I overfill my salad bowl and have to mix gingerly, trying desperately to not end up with salad all over the place. Combine with your hands (my style) or tongs (everybody else’s).

2) Mix dressing ingredients in small bowl or cup. Adjust ratios as needed until it’s spicy and nutty and fantastic. Pour over slaw and mix well.

3) Mangez!

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