A crunchy red cabbage slaw with deliciously zingy spices. This gorgeous, vibrant, raw vegan salad will brighten any plate.
January may not seem like the most natural time of year for salads. When the days are short and the weather is cold, I think most people, myself included, prefer hearty, warming fare. But raw vegetables are good for you any time of year, and crisp seasonal veg, lightly dressed with something zingy, can brighten up a plate on even the darkest days of winter.
Spice is nice
The dressing for this gorgeously vibrant red cabbage slaw has a slightly unlikely inspiration. First, let me show you my spice rack.
Before you ask, yes, I do use all of these. Some more regularly than others – those tend to be the ones on the bottom shelf. Top shelf is refills and less frequently used items. And the middle is everything else.
Sweet scent of besamim
Towards the end of last year, DH bought me a stunning contemporary havdalah set for my birthday. Naturally, I raided the spice rack to fill up the besamim container with suitably fragrant spices. I added cloves, cinnamon stick, nutmegs, coriander seeds and cardamom, and then, just as I was about to close the cupboard, my eye alighted on one of the rarely-used top shelf jars.
I had to get the step ladder out to reach it, but a few lightly crushed juniper berries soon also made their way into the new besamim pot. Come Saturday evening the most gorgeous aroma greeted us during the havdalah service! The juniper and coriander especially provided a gloriously uplifting, spicy, wintry scent. Wonderful.
What is Havdalah?
Havdalah is a short ceremony which marks the end of Shabbat – the Jewish sabbath – and the start of the new week. Blessings are recited over a multi-wicked candle, wine or grape juice (or other beverage), and a jar of sweet scented spices that are passed around for everyone to inhale their beautiful fragrance. Havdalad is one of my favourite Jewish rituals, and you can read more about it here.
Salad days
Shortly afterwards, we received a red cabbage in our organic veg box and it struck me that those wonderful winter spices would work fabulously alongside its hearty, mustardy flavours. A bit of tinkering with quantities, dipping and tasting, and this lovely crunchy red cabbage slaw was the happy result.
Be slaw to slice finely
You do need to slice all your vegetables finely for this recipe, so if you haven’t sharpened your knives for a while, now’s the time.
It’s definitely worth it – crunchy shredded red cabbage, tangy leeks, peppery radishes and sweet-tart dried cranberries would be yummy any day of the week, but the super-charged spicy dressing makes this over-the-top delicious.
See those photos? I ate about half of what you can see straight after I took them. And I’d already had my lunch. So moreish!
This colourful red cabbage slaw definitely brightened up a winter’s meal here at FFF Towers. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Serves 6 as a side dish.
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Red cabbage slaw with zingy winter dressing
Ingredients
For the dressing
- 5-6 juniper berries
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- pinch salt
- pinch ground black pepper
- 4 tablespoon mild olive oil
- 2 teaspoon white wine vinegar
For the salad
- ½ red cabbage (approx. 225g/ 8oz)
- 1 leek (approx. 115g/ 4oz)
- 10-12 small/medium radishes (approx. 100g/ 3½oz)
- 80-100 g dried cranberries
Instructions
- First make the dressing: Crush/grind the juniper, coriander, salt and pepper in a pestle and mortar, then whisk in the oil, followed by the vinegar. Set aside.
- Remove any tough outer leaves from the red cabbage and cut out the core. Shred the rest finely and place in a bowl.
- Trim and clean the leek. Slice finely – as thinly as possible. Add to the red cabbage.
- Wash the radishes and cut off the ends. Halve, then slice thinly. Add to the bowl with the cabbage and leek.
- Finally, add the dried cranberries. Pour over the dressing and toss everything well together so that it is thoroughly mixed and everything is coated with the dressing.
- If possible, leave to stand for 20-30 minutes before serving to allow the flavours to mingle.
Notes
Nutrition
More delicious salad recipes
If you’re in need of more delicious crunchy salads, how about:
- Classic French-style carrot salad
- Asian-inspired sesame green bean salad
- Easy Swedish beetroot salad
- Israeli chopped vegetable salad
Unknown
Loved to read your blog. It is looking awesome. Thank you for sharing this kind of stuff. It is useful toany.
Anonymous
Its Nice. your blog contains such an amazing info. It is useful to many. Thank you for sharing this kind of stuff.
Helen
Thanks! You’re welcome!
Naveen Sohail
It is perfect for dieting and we can also use this whit burgers.
Helen
So glad you liked it Naveen 🙂
Jacqueline Meldrum
That looks really tasty and I love the addition of cranberries. Sharing 🙂
Helen
Thanks Jacqueline! I love the cranberries too – little bursts of sweetness among all the munchy crunchy vegetables.
Thinly Spread
Deliciousness! Red cabbage and juniper are just meant to be together aren’t they? Such a tasty winter salad 🙂
Helen
Thanks! Yes, it’s a great flavour combination. Delicious!
Ceri Jones
I had some juniper berries a while back for gin making, and I used to regularly sniff them at 3pm for a ‘gin smell fix’ (yeah I know…). Love the idea of using them in this, sounds delish and I have a red cabbage in my fridge….
Helen
LOL! The besamim spices are very reminiscent of gin, now you mention it 😉
Hope you enjoy the salad…
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
Such beautiful colour to cheer up January! This looks so delicious, I can’t wait to try it.
Helen
Thanks Amanda. I really love the bright colours, too.
ali randall
This salad looks delicious and ideal for winter and served with that dressing and the sweet cranberries….oh yum!
Helen
Thanks Ali!
Heidy L. McCallum
This salad ROCKS! I love cabbage so this is definitely something I would like to make ASAP. I love the vibrant colors as well.
Helen
I’m a big cabbage fan too, especially all crunchy in a salad. I hope you enjoy it Heidy 🙂
Pam
I have never tried cooking with junper berries. That’s the great thing about reading new recipes – being inspired to try something new. This salad is just beautiful!
Helen
Thanks Pam! Happy to have inspired you 🙂
Mike Hultquist
So vibrant, and the juniper dressing ROCKS. As the snow falls outside my window and the temperature drops again, this is the perfect thing.
Helen
Thanks Mike! The dressing really does make this salad special.