4th of July – Asian Pear Slaw

I wanted to make a side dish to go with the ribs, so I looked for something cool and refreshing, that wouldn’t require the stove. This slaw got a lot of high ratings, so I decided to try it out. It got a lot of weird looks from everyone at the table, but one bite had them all sold. This is a wonderful dish – crisp and refreshing, cool with a nice heat from the chile. It’s definitely going to become a repeat recipe around my house!

Asian Pear Slaw
Gourmet December 2000

yield: Makes 6 servings
Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 1 hr

2 celery ribs
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
1 teaspoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger
2 firm Asian pears, cut into 1/4-inch-thick matchsticks
2 scallions, thinly sliced diagonally
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh hot red chile, or to taste

Peel strings from celery with a Y-shaped vegetable peeler and cut celery into 1/4-inch-thick matchsticks.

Whisk together juice, vinegar, and ginger and stir in celery and remaining ingredients with salt and pepper to taste. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving.

MacGourmet Rating: 5 Stars