Best Summer Slaw with Kale, Brussels, Apples & Almonds
Guest post by Dena Norton
Happy Memorial Day! Guess who’s coming to my picnic today? This slaw, that’s who.
I like traditional cole slaw, but I love this recipe – as in, LOOOVE it.
It’s perfect alongside a Memorial Day burger and some oven fries, but it’s also simple enough to throw together for a weekday lunch, and pretty enough to serve when guests come for dinner.
I’ve dubbed this slaw, “The Salad of Summer 2014” and have already decided we will be eating it almost every week for the next three months.
And why not? It’s easy, it can be made ahead, it’s refreshing, beautiful, full of insanely healthy ingredients straight from God’s creation, and my entire family raved about it on it’s recent debut – toddler, included.
It sure made this mama smile big when the little guy demanded seconds on the salad!
What You’ll Need
All it takes is a little elbow grease to chop the apples, onions, and greens if needed (that totally qualifies as exercise at our house, by the way!), one big bowl to mix everything in, a quick whisk of dressing ingredients, and then pour, baby, pour.
For the base of the slaw, I use a bagged mix of “Cruciferous Crunch Collection” from Trader Joe’s. However, chopping some kale, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage yourself would only take a few extra minutes. I’ve included both options in the recipe below.
Of course, the mix-ins are entirely flexible as well. Sub in your favorite fruit, nuts, seeds, and beans to give the recipe a twist of your own. But the dressing – please promise me you won’t mess with the chia and Dijon vinaigrette dressing, ‘kay? It’s just perfection.
Best Summer Slaw with Kale, Brussels, Apples & Almonds
Ingredients
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons raw honey
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 1/2 tsp chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon house seasoning I use a 4:1:1 ratio of sea salt:black pepper:garlic powder
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Slaw Ingredients
- 1 10 oz. bag of Trader Joe's Cruciferous Crunch Collection (or roughly 5 cups chopped kale leaves, 2 cups shredded or finely chopped Brussels sprouts, 1/2 cup each: chopped green and purple cabbage)
- 1 large apple I like the tart-sweet varieties like Jazz and Pink Lady
- 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
- 1/2 cup chickpeas
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix all dressing ingredients except oil. Drizzle oil gradually while whisking constantly to form an emulsion. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, toss all salad ingredients, then pour dressing over all before giving it another good stir.
Notes
Ready?
Starting now, exactly 97 days of splendid summer remain – anyone care to join me in my resolve to slow down the pace, soak up the extra sunshine, work less and play more, swim, picnic, vacation, and eat the very Best Summer Slaw as often as humanly possible?
Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you, Becky!
This looks so good! The dressing alone had me ready to eat, and the healthy ingredients just sealed the deal! Can’t wait to make this.
Thanks, Kristin – I hope you enjoy it a much as we do!
WOW! I am going to definitely make this. It looks incredible. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Glad to share it – hope your crew loves it, Kelly! 🙂
Thank you. We are trying to transition to a healthier diet and are always searching for healthy substitutes. Will definitely try this.
Good for you, Kaisma! This one’s definitely healthy – I hope you enjoy it!
I LOVE this recipe! I have made it three times in the last month since I pinned it. It is so yummy and healthy and colorful (which always makes things taste even better!). Thank you so much for posting this — I have a new summer favorite!
Oh, Lara, I’m so glad you like it! Thanks for sharing that! 🙂
This is the best salad!! sharing the recipe with friends and family. My weekend go to salad.
Thank you, Julie – for the kind words and for sharing it with others! I’m so glad to hear you’ve enjoyed it!
I see you call for 3TBSP of Honey above, thats a LOT. Is that correct or should that be TSP?
Yes, Emily – it’s 3 Tbsp. The sweetness is an excellent compliment to the strong flavor of the Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar I use. Of course, you could start with just 1 Tbsp of honey and add the remaining 2 Tbsp only if you want to. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂