in your corner: chard & nappa cabbage sesame coconut slaw

chard & nappa cabbage sesame coconut slaw | everybody likes sandwiches

In a world where inspiration can come from everywhere, sometimes it seems like advice is a dime a dozen. Pick a font, slap up a poster and your motto is gold, at least for the time being. While I love a good inspirational quote, I’m finding the sheer amount of everything that I should or could be doing more than a little overwhelming. Is there such a thing as inspiration overload? I’m in a chronic state of it at the moment. Throw in work with its obligations, deadlines and general busy-ness, and I’ve been feeling really worn down.

chard & nappa cabbage sesame coconut slaw | everybody likes sandwiches

Luckily, I have this salad in my corner. I was inspired by this baked crispy kale and coconut salad that I love โ€“ this raw version is a nice change.ย Our CSA is pumping out the last bits of the season and that means chard & other tough greens along with frilly heads of napa cabbage. These vegetables are staples at the moment and I can count of them being around, so this salad has been getting some frequent play around these parts. My husband is a fan because the dressing is nice and light – not too sweet, acidic or oily. A bit of raw ginger provides bite. Truthfully, I’m eating this salad because I can practically feel all that fiber and all those vitamins getting fast tracked into my body with every chew. I’m hopping on the Good Ship Good Greens.

chard & nappa cabbage sesame coconut slaw | everybody likes sandwiches

I do feel like I should provide a warning with this salad. I don’t think everyone is going to like it. It takes a bit of work to like this salad. The greens provide the big and boldness here, not the dressing. It’s earthy and rustic and sometimes you just need something cleansing and good. This is that salad. Raw greens like chard and kale do need a massage workout to break down all that mouthy harsh fiber into something more easily chewable. I also massaged the napa cabbage leaves which don’t really need it, but I figured it wouldn’t do any harm either. After eating this salad I do have to brush my teethย immediatelyย as it gives me something I like to call “spinach mouth” – that weird, grotty feeling on your teeth and tongue after eating a butt-load of spinach or greens? Do you get that too?

So there you go.

chard & nappa cabbage sesame coconut slaw | everybody likes sandwiches

elsewhere: Head over to Poppytalk where I present a different version of a fall favourite – spicy squash & black bean soup.

10 comments to “in your corner: chard & nappa cabbage sesame coconut slaw”

  1. 1
    Stacy   October 31, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    Oh, I love that crispy kale/coconut salad of Heidi’s, and I imagine I’d love this as well! I do like salad of the good and cleansing sort. And yes: I, too, am often in need of respite from ever-present chaos and demands. Hope you continue finding that for yourself!

  2. 2
    Joanne   November 1, 2012 at 3:35 am

    This sounds like the perfect recipe to have on hand now that the holidays are approaching! Detox food that actually tastes good. ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. 3
    SixBalloons   November 1, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    Amen on the squeaky teeth thing!

  4. 4
    kickpleat   November 2, 2012 at 12:48 pm

    Thanks Stacy for the kind words!

    Joanne, it is definitely good for an after Halloween candy binge!

    I know, SixBalloons, I know ๐Ÿ™‚ Glad I’m not the only one ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. 5
    Joanne (Bijoux)   November 5, 2012 at 9:13 am

    I just gobbled up a sauteed spinach and a fried egg concoction and “yes” I got that “spinach mouth” feeling as well. I recently signed up for a local CSA program (super stoked!) and this week I’m getting rainbow chard in my basket, so I think a salad similar to this one will definitely be making it’s way into my mouth.

  6. 6
    Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe   November 5, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    Where do you find your coconut ribbons? I can’t find them anywhere! ๐Ÿ™

  7. 7
    kickpleat   November 5, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    Ha, that spinach mouth will get you every time, Joanne! Glad you’ve signed up with a CSA! This is very uber healthy tasting, but delicious too. I hope you enjoy it.

    Amanda, where are you located? In Vancouver I can get them at the Gourmet Warehouse & the East-End Food Co-op on the Drive. I don’t shop at supermarkets so I have no idea if it’s easily available at chain stores!

  8. 8
    Robert F   November 18, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    I made this; I thought you didn’t like massaged salads? Initially I thought it would be too much food for just the two of us, but the massage cuts down the volume by about 2/3rds. Agreed that the dressing takes a back seat, but that’s a nice change. I like the subtle flavors of the dish. Judy didn’t care for the coconut ribbons, she felt that they were a bit tough and didn’t add to the overall fresh taste. But like so many of your recipes, this a healthy, tasty and new recipe, so thanks for that.

  9. 9
    Robert F   December 15, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    In retrospect, Judy’s concerns about the coconut might not have arisen had I managed to follow the recipe and actually toasted the flakes first.

  10. 10
    kickpleat   December 16, 2012 at 10:09 am

    Robert, toasting the coconut certainly helps to add flavour and texture. I think any kind of nut would be a good addition too ๐Ÿ™‚

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