I love cabbage. I don’t care how weird or uncool that makes me; I will never hide my penchant for these leafy brassicas. Look, I get the stigma, having historically been the food of peasants, the tragically poor and déclassé. After centuries of disrespect, I’d like to think I’m seeing glimmers of hope on the horizon for the humble cabbage.

That’s where the Crunchy Cabbage Salad at Loro comes in. For a place that bills itself as an Asian smokehouse and bar, they sure do know their way around the produce department. I was instantly smitten with their oak grilled snap peas that graced the menu over the summer, but this salad turned out to be the real sleeper hit. Arriving at the table showered with lemon zest, fresh mint, and candied cashews, the interplay of sugar and salt, crunchy and creamy, is exactly what makes it so compelling.

Gossamer-thin strands of shredded red cabbage intertwine with lightly pickled cucumbers and bites of tender green cabbage, sweet and mild, crisp yet somehow juicy. Coated in a cashew-ginger vinaigrette, the dressing has body from just a roasted cashew butter, preventing it from becoming cloying or heavy. Brightened by the fresh, raw spice and citrus, it’s the kind of condiment you’ll want on hand at all times. Go ahead, start mentally doubling or tripling that recipe right now to save the rest for later.

Loro keeps their secrets well, so I couldn’t get the official formula out of them. No matter; nothing will stand in the way of my love for cabbage. This is my take on the concept, with the added benefit of making about four times as much for a quarter of the price. Going slightly off-script, I found that smoked cashews add an even more compelling dimension, but simple roasted cashews would be equally satisfying.

Above all else, the real star of the show is the cabbage. Standing tall like fragile, tender greens never could, it’s a salad that travels well, keeps well, and quite simply won’t let you down.

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Yield: Makes 4 - 6 Servings

Crunchy Cabbage Salad

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If you think cabbage is boring, you need this salad in your life. Both raw and quick-pickled cabbage is tossed in a bright ginger-cashew vinaigrette then showered with lemon zest, fresh mint, and candied cashews. The interplay of sugar and salt, crunchy and creamy, is exactly what makes it so compelling.

Prep Time 25 minutes

Additional Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes

Ingredients

Quick Pickle:

• 1/2 Small Head (About 1/2 Pound) Green Cabbage, Cut into 1/2-Inch Squares
• 2 Persian Cucumbers or 1/2 English Cucumber, Thinly Sliced
• 1 1/2 Teaspoons Granulated Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon Salt

Cashew-Ginger Vinaigrette:

• 2 Tablespoons Cashew Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Tamari or Soy Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup
• 1 1/2 Teaspoons Ground Ginger
• 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/4 Cup Olive Oil

Salad:

• 1/2 Small Head (About 1 - 1 1/4 Pounds) Red Cabbage, Very Thinly Sliced
• 1/2 Cup Candied or Roasted Cashews
• 1/4 Cup Fresh Mint Leaves
• 1 Meyer Lemon, Zested

Instructions

1. Start by making the quick pickle. Combine the cabbage, cucumbers, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Use your hands to massage them all together, like you would a kale salad. Don't be afraid to really get in there to start breaking the vegetables down. Place plastic wrap directly on the surface and add weights, like canned beans, to keep the vegetables pressed down. Set aside in a cool place (or your fridge if it's hot out) for 1 - 2 hours. Once the cabbage is sufficiently pickled, drain off the excess liquid.
   
   
2. For the dressing, simple whisk together the cashew butter and tamari until smooth. Add in the rice vinegar, maple syrup, ginger, and garlic, and whisk again to incorporate. Slowly drizzle in the oil while whisking continuously, until emulsified. Alternately, combine everything in your blender and puree.
   
   
3. Finally, to bring the salad together, place the quick pickle and red cabbage in a large bowl. Toss together with the dressing to generously coat. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with cashews, mint, and lemon zest. Serve immediately.

Recommended Products

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. I have experience with all of these companies and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links.

• 
  Organic Tamari Gluten-Free Soy Sauce
• 
  Artisana, Organics Raw Cashew Butter, 14 oz (397 g)
• 
  Now Foods, Real Food Organic, Whole, Raw Cashews, Unsalted, 10 oz (284 g)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 155Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 857mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 3g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.