food to glow

Creamy Sunflower-Ranch Coleslaw – Ditch the mayo and blend up roasted sunflower seeds, with ranch dressing flavours, for a more healthful coleslaw. A whole food twist on a BBQ, pot-luck and picnic favorite.

Coleslaw has got a bit of a bad rap. It’s funny how something where the main ingredients are cabbage and carrots can veer so far away from healthful. But adding in a half cup of mayo can do that to a salad. 😉

Of course, many modern coleslaws eschew the sat-fat and opt for an oil and vinegar approach. And sometimes not even the oil. I like these kinds of tangy coleslaw recipes. Not only are they easy to riff on with fruits, herbs and nuts, they are lighter on the palate and digestion. 

I have a vinegar and oil-based, pear-heavy coleslaw, studded with dried cranberries and walnuts, that I could eat pretty much every day. It makes appearances at my work throughout autumn and winter, where it goes faster than a winter salad really ought to. It is absolutely delectable paired with hummus, too.

Today’s whole food coleslaw is something quite different; more in the spirit of the beloved creamy coleslaw most of us grew up eating. My spin is somewhat creamy and a lot a bit crunchy. The creamy is from roasted (a must!) and soaked sunflower seeds, blended up with plenty of flavoursome ranch dressing bits. 

Originally I was going to make a creamy avocado coleslaw. This was until I realized that many, many people had got there before me (this one looks good). And, if you know anything about me, you know I like to do my own thing. You should see what I’m wearing 😉

So, to that recipe.

Creamy Sunflower-Ranch Coleslaw ingredients 

Cabbage – red and green please. Savoy is nice for a bit of fancy frilliness. Although coleslaw is the absolute opposite of fancy.

Carrots – of course

Sunflower seeds – raw. You will roast before using. If you want to save 10 minutes buy Trader Joe’s unsalted and roasted. The roasting is essential for the deep flavour it adds. I make two trays of sunflower seeds and pop the rest in a jar for using in other bits and bobs, and just snacking on.

Shallot, a – more fancy stuff. Use a small, mild onion, or even two fat scallions, if shallots aren’t available

Garlic – only a small clove; this isn’t going to scare any vampires

Celery seed – this is optional, but if you have some lurking unloved in your spice cupboard, do use it.

Dijon mustard – not fancy; essential. Wholegrain in a pinch.

Lemon or lime juice + apple cider vinegar – you may go with all vinegar but the balance of these two together is really good.

Parsley and chives – quintessential ranch heroes

Tweaks

This creamy sunflower-ranch coleslaw is, as per usual for my recipes, quite flexible. Feel very free to leave out the herbs if the presence of green bits will scare the kids. Maybe even add some raisins to entice them. Sweet shredded apple or pear would also be welcome, as would little ruby pomegranate arils or chopped Sharon fruit. Make it your own. Jicama adds even more interest in the crunch department. 

And to make it creamier you could certainly add a dollop of best-quality real or vegan mayo; or perhaps some crème fraîche, yogurt or milk kefir.

Ways to eat Creamy Sunflower-Ranch Coleslaw 

This coleslaw would be welcome at any summer-early autumn BBQ, picnic or outdoor event, as well as a potluck dinner. And of course enjoy it at home in a variety of ways. Such as:

• Alongside or in a fish (actual or vegan fish-style) sandwich
• With hummus or other thickish dips in a wrap or sandwich
• In spring roll wrapper with marinated and baked tofu pieces (try this recipe or perhaps buy a box of ready-made) for a summer roll with a difference 
• In tacos
• With pulled jackfruit (or actual meat) sandwiches or sliders
• In Reubens instead of sauerkraut
• On vegan hotdogs or burgers, with all the fixings
• And of course in a meal with your other favourite salads. Need some new salads? See below!

The one step to make any coleslaw the best coleslaw 

The key to a really good coleslaw is crispy cabbage. Thinly sliced, crispy cabbage. We don’t want soggy cabbage – noooo. The best way to get cabbage that stays crispy when slathered in dressing is salting it. Yes, really. 

Using the same method as my Smashed Cucumber Salad, we are salting the shredded cabbage. We do this to draw water out of the cabbage. What you do is toss in some salt and let it drain in a colander. No need to rinse as the salt drains away with the liquid. This will virtually guarantee a crisper salad that will not get soggy as it sits. If you don’t have the recommended minimum of half an hour to do this, don’t worry; the coleslaw will still be tasty. But honestly, this “de-gorging” is a bit of a game-changer. 

And I would really recommend it if you won’t be eating the slaw all in one sitting. I would go as far as to say that you really should try this for any coleslaw that you make. It’s a game-changer. Here’s an interesting – general – article on salting foods.

How to make this coleslaw 

While you are de-gorging your cabbages, you can make the dressing. Do this by toasting the sunflower seeds until irresistibly fragrant and golden – about 10 minutes – and toss in your blender. Cover the seeds with just-boiled water and let sit and soften for 15-30 minutes. 

After this time the seeds will be blendable and soft. Now add the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, optional celery seeds, grated shallot, mashed garlic clove, and salt and pepper, blending until creamy-smooth.

Just a fyi: don’t drain the seeds before blending, as the water is part of the sauce. And you may want to add just a touch more to make it looser. Adjust the flavours, adding more acid or even some honey if you like.

While the sunflower are soaking chop the herbs and grate the carrots. Then, when the dressing is made and the cabbage is drained, you toss it all together. 

More sturdy salads from Food To Glow

I would highly recommend any of these for any US Labor Day get-togethers you have planned or are contributing a dish. Most are older recipes without nice images or recipe cards, but I love them all the same.

Celeriac Remoulade (Andrew’s all-time favorite – and sooooo easy!)

Greek Panzanella

Grilled Bread and Halloumi Salad with Green Tahini Sauce

Ranch Chickpea Salad

Fig Chicory and Walnut Salad

Extra Veg Tabbouleh

Lemony Kale, Quinoa and Chickpea Salad with Homemade Vegan Parmesan

Pomegranate, Pistachio and Sour Cherry Bulgur Wheat Salad (terrible old images but mighty good!)

Za’atar Aubergine and Roasted Onion Salad with Tahini-Garlic Dressing (another oldie but goodie. Love this one)

Whatever your weekend plans, make them delicious!