Oriental Coleslaw

This is a popular salad that goes by many different names: Ramen Cabbage Salad, Chinese Coleslaw, etc. It doesn't matter what you call it. It matters that you make it. Just this week I entered this family-favorite salad in our staff cook-out contest. And I won!!! I was so excited to win. And today, one of the judges told me he rated this salad a "6" - on a 5 point scale! It's that good.

This salad is simple to put together, and travels well in its separate parts.

First, crush the Ramen noodles. I do this without opening the package, and just use the heel of my hand.



Next, toast the almonds in a bit of butter on the stovetop. You can also toast almonds in the microwave, or in the oven. I prefer the stovetop.



If you like, you can also add the crushed ramen noodles to the almonds, to toast them also. This is not necessary, but I did it this time, pulling out all my tricks to try to win the cookout contest!



While the ramen and almond mixture cools, assemble the salad and the dressing. And try not to eat all the ramen noodles and almonds. Slice the green onions, and combine them with the coleslaw in a salad bowl.



Dole makes a nice coleslaw mix, and my grocery store also makes it and sells it in packages, already shredded (as pictured above). If you like, you can make your own coleslaw mix from "scratch" using cabbage and carrots.

Finally, for the dressing, combine the oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper and 1/2 of the seasoning packet from a package of Oriental flavored Ramen noodles.



Whisk well to combine and until sugar is dissolved. The salad needs to be dressed immediately before serving. If you're not serving this right away, you can transfer the dressing to the jar to easily transport it.



If you're serving immediately, toss the salad with the dressing and then stir in the almonds and noodles. If you're taking it somewhere, take the salad, noodles/almonds, and dressing in separate containers and then assemble the salad right before serving it.

I hope you can also win a contest with this salad! (Or maybe just the high praises of your friends and family.)

Need more cabbage ideas? Check out the In Season Recipe Swap.

There are more recipes at Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, and Tuesdays at the Table, What's Cooking Wednesday , Blissfully Domestic, Family Recipe Friday and Friday Feasts. Don't forget to check out the Eat More Fruits and Veggies Challenge, too and the 4th of July edition of Tasty Thursday.

Oriental Coleslaw

Salad
1 - 16oz package coleslaw, or equivalent homemade
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1 package Oriental flavor Ramen noodles, broken up, toasted (optional)

Dressing
1/2 cup canola oil
2 tbsp. sugar
3 tbsp. cider vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 packet of seasoning from Ramen noodles

Combine the dressing ingredients and whisk well to dissolve sugar. In a large salad bowl, combine the coleslaw, green onions, almonds, and ramen noodles. Drizzle dressing over and toss well to combine. Serve immediately.