Fennel Coleslaw and Wrapping it up in New Jersey

Posted March 31st 2012 at 1:04 pm by Chef Ellen

The last week in New Jersey is winding down. I leave for Colorado on Monday morning and still can’t believe this is all really happening. I am driving out with my mom. She has graciously offered to co-pilot the trip with me. I wish she knew how to drive a stick : ( …but the trade-off is worth it. I have a feeling this will be an adventure that will live in my heart for many years to come. Who gets to take a road trip with their moms like this? She is very excited. My mother loves being in the car and taking off. I love adventure but have a strong sense that long car trips are not my thing. Honestly though, I am excited to try it out and especially grateful that I have someone to share the ride with.

So this week I am finishing up with clients as well. Now I can focus on packing and the good-byes. Not really looking forward to either or. The latter simply sucks. I found a note on my niece Brianne’s dresser that said “call Ellen every day.” My other niece Caitlyn wants my new address so that she can mail me 1000 kisses so I can take them out whenever I need them. Sigh…

Enough about that, the tears are starting in again, so let’s change the subject to food. I am making a grapefruit based dressing that I am going to use for fennel coleslaw. This is an amazing salad especially for the summer months. Since we seemed to skip spring in New Jersey this year, start making it now and enjoy. I find it to be a perfect compliment to the veggie burger recipe in my book (page 100) or simply make it a meal by adding chickpeas as a topper. If I were you, I would make the veggie burger. Without a doubt, they are good!!

Fennel is an excellent source of calcium as well as dietary fiber. Cabbage is a big part of this salad as well. In terms of nutritional value cabbage is a member of the cruciferous family, which seems to be rich in anti-oxidant. It is impressive with its high content levels of calcium, iron, iodine, potassium, sulfur, and phosphorus. In the vitamins department, it is loaded with vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, K and folic acid. Both cabbage and fennel are super low in calories. The combination of additional ingredients is equally complimentary and so wonderfully delicious, you may find yourself making this salad again and again.

Fennel Coleslaw with Grapefruit Dressing

Dressing:

Juice of 2 ripe grapefruits

1/4 C fresh lemon juice

1/2 C Olive oil

1 whole shallot chopped

5 pickled jalapenos

1 Tablespoon stone ground mustard

1/4 C white wine vinegar

1 packet Italian salad dressing mix

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender on high. Set aside.

Salad:

1 package coleslaw mix

1 whole fennel grated

2 carrots grated

1 red pepper chopped

1 shallot chopped

1 zucchini shredded

1 mango diced

1/4 C slivered or chopped almonds

1 avocado diced

In large bowl, combine salad ingredients. Use half of the prepared dressing and massage in into the coleslaw with your hands or a spoon. Using more dressing is up to your discretion and taste. You can save the unused portion for up to two weeks.

Serves 4-6

1 serving: Calories 219, Fat 15 g (saturated 2.5 g, polyunsaturated 2.2g, monounsaturated 10.7g) Carbohydrates 19.6g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 3.4

On a side note;

I am thinking about all the special wishes and generosity I have been given by having exceptional people in my life. After going out a bunch of different times in the last couple of weeks I can take a step back and reflect on how lucky I am. Last night I got together with a mix of friends. I thought about the fact that I had an assorted bunch of different woman (gym friends, sisters, old friends, new friends) gathering last night for me. I don’t want to leave out Howard, one of the closed men in my life either. He came by and blessed me with his presence as always. Love you Bub! My sister Nancy and I always joked about the risk of mixing too many groups of friends together not being sure of what the outcome would be. In my head I compared it to taking a risk in the kitchen with different ingredients. It’s silly but this is the stuff that runs through my head after a couple glasses of pinot noir. The danger I feared was eased very quickly and at one point I looked over the crowd and smiled. I am blessed God. All my gratitude for a perfect evening with special friends.