Curried Coleslaw with Apples

While writing this post, I can honestly say I have a few tears in my eyes. Not only because my stress levels have increased tenfold this week  with starting my fieldwork and final year of school for Occupational Therapy ( and working as a baker still too), but because I rubbed my eyes after handling a jalapeno a few minutes ago... hardy har, I know, but my brains are a bit jello at the moment, and that's the best I could come up with.

This afternoon I realized, that in my back-to-school fervor, I forgot that I have my beloved girls dinner night tonight, and I had totally spaced it out. SO, after nine hours at school, I was trying to think of something to bring.. I'm also on a tight budget these days, so I was trying to keep it cheaper than usual. 

 Since a Stir-fry was the main course tonight,  I wracked my brain when I got to the grocery store, trying to think of what I could make that didn't involve just giving up and getting a bottle of wine. Nothing, truly nothing relaxes me like cooking, so I thought whipping up something would be cathartic at the end of this day. 

You know how it is when you are drawing a blank for dinner, I stared into space for a while, then decided I felt like being creative, and wanted to try and make a curried coleslaw. I didn't have a recipe, but had all the basics at home, so I decided to give it a whirl, and for a first try at this recipe, I think it's a real winner!

Curried Coleslaw with Apples

-1 head of shredded green or red cabbage

-1 medium red variety apple ( I used Braeburn, and it was good) diced

-1 medium onion, diced

-1/2 cup cashews, chopped

-1 t. ground ginger

-1/3 cup red wine vinegar

-1/3 cup canola oil

-1 T. sugar 

-1 t. salt

-1 T. curry powder

  Directions: Combine cabbage, apples and onion in a bowl. Mix ginger, red wine vinegar, canola oil, sugar, salt and curry in a bowl. Combine and marinate at least one hour before serving. Add cashews before serving.

                                                                                Ta-Dah!!

  This took about ten minutes to make, and it turned out great! It had a beautiful golden amber hue, and the apples and onion gave it a nice contrast.

  It's a great alternative to the ole' side salad, and a lot more exciting than the average side veggie to a meal. If I would have ( in my laziness) with a salad, it would have taken just as long, and cost a lot more I'd venture. The cabbage was $1.75, the apple 60 cents, and the onion was 45 cents. Configuring the vinegar, oils and cashews ( the most expensive component by FAR) this healthy little side dish cost about 4 bucks, and serves about 7-8 as a side.

           Try not to lick your screen! It won't taste as good as if you make this yourself! =)

Trying to  eat and cook healthy even though I'm busy (as so many of us are) is really important, so along with fan-tabulous well-tested cake and dessert recipes that are my cup of tea so to speak, I'll be sharing little gems like this. Great for you, cheap and easy to make, three of my favorite things!