Asian Coleslaw

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp creamy peanut butter
• 6 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon toasted (dark) sesame oil
• 4 Tbsp seasoned rice vinegar (if seasoned rice vinegar is not available, add a teaspoon or two of sugar to regular rice vinegar)
• 4 cups thinly sliced cabbage (Napa, green, purple, or a combination)
• 1/2 cup grated carrots
• 1/4 cup toasted, salted, shelled, peeled peanuts

Optional

• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Thinly sliced green onions or chives

Method

1 Prepare dressing. Place peanut butter in a medium bowl. Add the vegetable oil and the toasted sesame oil and whisk until nicely smooth. Whisk in the seasoned rice vinegar and do a taste test. Depending on how you like your dressing, how salty your peanut butter is, how seasoned your rice vinegar is, you may want to add a little more vinegar, a little more sugar, or a little salt. (Makes about 3/4 cup of dressing.)
2 Toast the peanuts. Although the roasted peanuts from the store may already be cooked, you'll get even better flavor with just a little toasting. Heat a small skillet on medium high heat and add the nuts to the pan. Do not ignore or the nuts can easily burn. Stir a little with a wooden spoon until the peanuts begin to get browned in spots and you can smell the toasting aromas. Remove peanuts from pan to a dish.
3 In a large bowl, toss the sliced cabbage, grated carrots, and peanuts together, and any other optional ingredients you care to add (like a little chopped cilantro or green onions). Right before serving, mix in the dressing.
Great with fish or burgers.

Yield: Serves 4.