Simple Asian Slaw Recipe

Coleslaw may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but we guarantee our Asian Slaw with BamNut Noodle croutons will be a hit with anyone who tries it. This Asian version of coleslaw is packed with fresh, bright flavours that taste great alone or paired with almost any dish.

Tired of your usual rotation of salads? We’ve got you covered with this refreshing and light Asian slaw. This is the perfect side dish for any Asian meal, or even just to eat by itself. Unlike other salads, the dressing for this is significantly healthier, but will fill you up just the same. We also use our BamNut Noodles to add an extra crunch, substituting them for plain old croutons.

What Is An Asian Slaw?

An Asian slaw is a salad inspired by coleslaw, but with an Asian twist. Similar to a coleslaw, Asian slaws also use cabbage and carrots as a base. Where they differ is their dressing. Coleslaws typically use a mixture of mayonnaise, a sweetener such as honey and apple cider vinegar as dressing. Asian slaw, on the other hand, usesan oil-based dressing consisting of apple cider vinegar and sesame oil among other things. Due to how light this salad is, it can be served alongside deep-fried dishes to balance the greasiness.

Purple vs. Green Cabbage

As you may have noticed, this recipe opts for the use of purple cabbage. While you can certainly use green cabbage for a lack of purple cabbage, these cabbages have more differences than just their colour. For instance, research has shown that the level of antioxidants in purple cabbages is over 4 times higher than that found in green cabbage.

Purple cabbage has also been shown to benefit heart health. This is due to the presence of anthocyanins, which give this cabbage its characteristic purple colour. Purple cabbage has more than 36 types of anthocyanins, making it an excellent vegetable to promote heart health. Higher anthocyanin intakes have also been linked to lower blood pressure and a lower risk of heart disease.

Purple cabbage is also nutrient-dense. It contains vitamins C and K which promote bone health, as well as calcium, zinc and manganese.

Health Benefits of Asian Slaw

Cabbage: Other than those listed above, cabbage also has anti-inflammatory properties. While inflammation after an injury is normal and healthy, chronic inflammation that occurs over long periods of time is associated with diseases such as heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Cabbage is considered a cruciferous vegetable, and it is shown that eating more of these types of vegetables reduces certain blood markers of inflammation.

Carrots: One of the most well-known benefits of carrots. This is due to their high levels of beta-carotene , which helps keep your eyes healthy, protect your eyes from the sun and lowers your chance of cataracts and other eye issues. Eating carrots can also reduce your risk of having cancer due to the presence of antioxidants which have been shown to fight off harmful free radicals in the body. This antioxidant called carotenoids is what gives carrots their signature orange colour.

Apple cider vinegar: One of the biggest health benefits of apple cider vinegar is its lowering of blood sugar. Studies have shown that consuming apple cider vinegar after a meal can lower blood glucose levels, which could be helpful for people with Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. It also has shown to aid with weight loss.

Sesame oil: Sesame oil is widely used in Chinese, Japanese and Middle Eastern cooking. It contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which is essential in preventing heart disease and cancer, as well as improving immune function. It is also full of antioxidants, which helps fight free radicals which may reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases.

Our Refreshing Asian Slaw Made with BamNut Noodles

In our version of an Asian slaw, we add BamNut noodles as croutons to contrast the freshness of the vegetables and acidity of the dressing. Our BamNut Noodles are made of Bambara groundnuts, and add a subtle nutty flavour to this salad, as well as providing a delicious crunch. We also include our sweet hot seasoning inspired by traditional Kecap Manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce) for a dash of sweetness reminiscent of caramel for a delightfully spicy experience.