Cabbage, Asian Pear and Grape Salad with Cider Vinaigrette

Here, tart and slightly sweet cider vinegar teams up with honey and Dijon mustard to form a sprightly vinaigrette. It perfectly complements the fruitiness of the green grapes and crisp Asian pear in this fresh take on coleslaw.

Ingredients

Directions

In a small nonreactive bowl, whisk together the vinegar, honey, mustard, the 1/8 tsp. salt and a few grinds of pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until well blended to make a vinaigrette. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper.

Cut the cabbage half lengthwise into 2 wedges, then cut away and discard the hard core from each wedge. Cut each wedge crosswise into thin shreds.

In a large bowl, gently toss together the pear, cabbage, grapes, the 1/4 tsp. salt and several grinds of pepper. Whisk the vinaigrette to recombine, then drizzle it over the pear-cabbage-grape mixture and toss well. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper. Transfer the salad to a shallow bowl and serve immediately. Serves 6.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma New Flavors for Salads, by Dina Cheney (Oxmoor House, 2009).