Saturday, July 30, 2011

Baja Summer Slaw



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This bright and colorful salad is a wonderful addition to a summer barbecue. It's packed with tropical flavors and its vague sweetness is a perfect foil for the smoky and spicy flavors that come off a grill. The salad is based on one that was served with seafood, particularly shrimp and lobster, when Bob and I were trekking through Baja Mexico, a very long time ago. We were without chick or child at the time and our spirit of adventure was far larger than our wallets. The Baja had not yet been discovered, so it was still possible to explore the peninsula and the Sea of Cortez on the cheap. We camped and cooked on open fires and every so often we'd dine out. My entree on those occasions was always shellfish because it was fresh and abundant and you could watch it being prepared. Were it not for its freshness, that would have been a strange choice. Pacific lobster, at least in my opinion, lacks the flavor of its Atlantic cousin. It needs something to perk it up and slaws or salads of this type really did the trick. I've fashioned a recipe of sorts for you, but as you read through the ingredients you'll see how you might be able to play with it. I love the freshness of this salad and I think you will, too. It's very easy to make and you can be as creative with the ingredients as you like. It is a lovely slaw, but I must admit I miss the dash of adventure we added all those years ago. Perhaps you can add your own. Here's the recipe.

Baja Summer Slaw...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
1/4 cup pineapple juice from canned pineapple tidbits
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (10-oz.) bag very finely shredded cabbage (angel hair)
1 (8-oz.) can pineapple tidbits packed in pineapple juice
1 cup diced papaya or mango
1 cup diced sweet red bell pepper
1 small jalapeno pepper, finely chopped with seeds and ribs removed
1/4 cup minced cilantro
Salt and pepper

Directions:
1) In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine pineapple juice, oil, lime juice, cilantro, cumin,sugar and salt in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake well.
2) Combine cabbage, pineapple, papaya, bell pepper, and jalapeno pepper in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Add cilantro and stir just before serving. Yield: 6 servings.







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53 comments :

Ginny Hartzler said...

This looks wonderful and is so pretty! And I imagine the pineapple gives it a bit of sweetness.

Anonymous said...

How light and colorful! This slaw looks delicious.

Anonymous said...

Justhave to say.In my mother tongue(Serbian)..Baja means some very handsome man:)Well ok your salad is very handsome salad;)

Terri @ that's some good cookin' said...

Mary, this salad makes me want to get all happy and wear a pretty, swirly kind of summer dress and dance barefoot. P.S. I'm laughing so hard at Dzoli's comment. Hilarious.

Maris (In Good Taste) said...

Pineapple and mango in this slaw sounds so amazing. I am going to put this on my weekend to do list!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I remember the days of hitchiking, camping on the beach, living on a houseboat in Amsterdam, sleeping under the stars in Venice and exploring far and wide. Such good memories all wrapped around the wonderful food too!

Rachana said...

Thats such a colourful and refreshing salad!

Have a lovely weekend, Mary :-)

Unknown said...

this looks like sucha perfectboating salad- cantwait toget back to Trinidad to try it out! So bright and colorful! xoxo

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

This does look fresh and delicious.

You are amazing, Mary, and have not lost your love of adventure and travel. Enjoy your upcoming trip.

Fondly,
Glenda

Lynn said...

This sounds really different and is very pretty! Happy Weekend Mary:@)

Rita said...

It seems everyone is bringing the slaw up a few notches lately. This one is Superb!
Rita

Becki's Whole Life said...

This sounds wonderful. I love the sweet, salty, spicy combos - so much flavor! The trio of pineapple, jalapeno and cilantro is so refreshing. You are so right, great to pair with some barbecue!

Clint said...

Gorgeous dish. Looks perfect for summer!

Tanna said...

My husband LOVES slaw; and, he LOVES fruits. This will be a huge hit with him. Thank you so much, Mary! You know, I miss that sense of adventure of my younger days, too... I don't miss the restlessness that would accompany it so much. ;) blessings ~ tanna

Nisrine said...

What an awesome, refreshing slaw. I would totally go crazy for this one!

Suman Singh said...

what a colorful and refreshing salad..looks delicious, easy to make, and great for hot summer days! :)

Chiara said...

Lovely recipe Mary !Looks wonderful...Have a good weekend...

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

Two perfect taste combos here and we have a ton of mango here in Merritt Island growing everywhere thanks!
http://pegasuslegend-whatscookin.blogspot.com/2011/07/favorite-recipes-from-summers-past.html#en

Karen said...

Hi Mary, this salad sounds wonderfully fresh and light and just right for a hot summer day. Hiking and camping on the Baja must have been so much fun before it became the next "it" destination.

Kim said...

Mary - How fun to explore Baja before it came to be what it is. I imagine you know quite a few of it's hidden secrets.

This salad looks exceptional. I'd love to throw in some shrimp just for kicks!

Anonymous said...

This dish exemplifies the colors of summer, beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Maybe I'm biased because I'm local but I love our sweet little spiny lobsters!

Elaine said...

Your Baja camping trip sounds wonderful. This slaw looks so colorful and delicious. It looks so pretty and fresh compared to the traditional cole slaw. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, Mary!

lena said...

i really like the mango and the pineapple that you put in here, sweet and tangy salad, nice!

Anonymous said...

Pineapple and mango with the spices sounds like a wonderful summer salad. I can imagine it taking you back to those carefree, adventure-filled days. :) Have a great weeked!

Gwen said...

What a wonderful summer dish! I am bookmarking this to make next week. So excited!

Susan Lindquist said...

Wow! What a fresh sweet take on slaw! Perfect for ribs or a summertime smoked ham! OR pulled pork sandwiches!

Gloria Baker said...

This sound tasty and nice dera Mary, have a lovely weekend! gloria

Angie's Recipes said...

Looks so colourful, fresh and so flavourful! I love its crunchiness.

Big Dude said...

The slaw looks perfect for a fish dish I have planned for the near future.

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

Such a wonderful look. Love the idea of mango and cabbage.

Jocie's Mom said...

Your trip to Baja sounds lovely! Sometimes its more fun to go to a place that like that before it gets commercialized. Fantastic slaw, super yummy :)

Joanne said...

I love the tropical edge you've added to this slaw! I'm not usually a slaw fan, but that would make this worth eating.

Unknown said...

I love the look of this summer salad: the colours and presentation are wonderful! But how do you do it, Mary?? You post such fabulous recipes all the time! Well done.

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

I so into anything with pineapple this week that this is a must make...

I'd love to drive the Baja sometime....

David said...

Mary, The Baja Slaw looks great although I'd have to substitute something for the bell peppers. I just don't like their flavor... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Y said...

Nom nom nom!!! I need a huge side of this next to a great juicy steak! Hahahah! Perfect!!!

Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook said...

Beautiful looking salad. As pretty as it is delicious!

Monet said...

What a light and refreshing summer salad. Don't you just love recipes that can be easily adapted? Thank you for always making me smile with your yummy food, thoughtful words and inciting recipes and travels. I hope you have a blessed Sunday!

teresa said...

this is so pretty, the colors and flavors sound so bright and delicious!

Rosita Vargas said...

Excellent salad very refreshing, healthy and pretty color, blessings and greetings.

Barbara said...

I will make this! It's perfect for the summer!

The Church Cook said...

This looks lovely, Mary! The colors are bursting with summer happiness! :)

Kim said...

ahhh i love the "baja" summer salad slaw theme! fresh and healthy, perfect dish for a summer picnic :). have a great wkend Mary!

Ben said...

Combining such diverse ingredients this well requires great finesse and understanding, Mary. This is more than a terrific looking slaw; it's downright inspirational. Thanks for a wonderful post.

Ben
http://kissthecook-ben.blogspot.com/

The Harried Cook said...

Oh just look at those colors... This sounds perfect for the warm weather, Mary! I love all the ingredients... especially the mango! Thanks for sharing :)

Banana Wonder said...

Yum! I can imagine this slaw with lobster... what a perfect summer combination alongside a Mexican beer.

manousina said...

We have nominated you for the 7 Links Project. Look at our blog xx.

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

I would say, you were at my house, Friday when I was searching for a recipe for a slaw with fruit. I have a bunch of mangoes and I am looking for ways to use them and I could see them in slaw,easily.

I didn't find one that caught my eye but here it is, waiting for me. Thanks for the inspiration and the recipe.

Karen Harris said...

Cole slaw and lobster, mmmmmm, sounds like the perfect meal to me. This recipe looks so delicious. I can't wait to try it.

penny aka jeroxie said...

I actually like pineapple in salads. I just end up eating the pineapple cubes only!

Lucie said...

Sounds like some wonderful travels, Mary! In French we say "les voyages forment la jeunesse"--a great way to discover what you want in life! And I'm sure having some delicious sides like these sure helps ;)

Cooking Creation said...

Beautiful colors and I love the addition of cumin!

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