Indian Cabbage Salad Recipe

This unique cold summer salad serves 6 as a main meal or 10 as a side dish. It is a healthy, gluten-free vegan dish that is chock full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, healthy fats and protein. If you would like a paleo and legume-free version, substitute 2 lbs of shrimp or chicken for the chickpeas. For whole-food plant-based, just substitute water for the oil. While the list of ingredients may seem long, this salad is a snap to put together and all of the ingredients can be found in your local grocery store.

Serves: 6 as a main meal and 10 as a side dish
Prep time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cans organic chickpeas – rinsed and drained
• 3 tbsp curry powder – divided (I recommend Penzeys‘ Sweet Curry or Now Curry)
• 2 tbsp brown/black mustard seeds
• 2 heads organic Savoy cabbage- washed and sliced thin
• 1 red pepper – sliced in thin strips then chopped
• 1 lb carrots – shredded
• 1 bunch of scallions – washed and chopped
• Bunch of cilantro – washed well
• Bunch of mint – washed and stems removed
• 1 jalapeno – optional
• 6 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1-inch pice of ginger, peeled and minced very fine
• 3 tbsp honey or to taste
• 1 C cashews – roasted and salted or raw – your choice
• 1/3 C dried currants or barberries (optional)
• 4 tbsp olive or coconut oil – divided (substitute water for the oil for whole-food plant-based)

Instructions

1. Drain and rinse chick peas and toss with 2 tbsp curry powder and mustard seeds in a bowl
2. Saute chick peas in 2 tbsp of oil a large saute pan until golden and mustard seeds begin to pop
3. Turn of heat and set aside
4. Dressing: in a blender of food processor, combine the remaining 1 tbsp curry powder, mint, cilantro, honey, remaining 2 tbsp oil, lime juice, garlic, ginger, salt and jalapeno if using and blend until smooth
5. In a very large bowl, add chopped cabbage, peppers, scallions and shredded carrots and toss with the dressing until well combined
6. Add the chickpeas, cashews and currants or barberries if using and toss again
7. Serve cold or room temperature – and it  is even better 1-2 days later

Enjoy!