Lime and Poppy Seed Slaw with Curry Leaf Oil

Description §

Eat this zingy slaw al fresco, with the spicy vindaloo photographed alongside (p. 110), though it’s also just as great on its own. Doubling up the turmeric cashews won’t hurt either; they’re super-duper special and will keep for up to a week in a sealed container (though we doubt they’ll last that long).

Serves 6, as a side

Notes §

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Ingredients §

• 1 white cabbage (1 lb 14 oz/ 850g), core removed and head finely sliced (7¾ cups/700g)
• 1-2 carrots (6⅓ oz/180g), peeled, halved crosswise, then thinly sliced and julienned
• 1 red onion (4½ oz/120g), halved and very thinly sliced
• ¾ cup/15g cilantro leaves, with some stem attached
• ¼ cup/5g mint leaves
• salt and black pepper

TURMERIC CASHEWS §

• 2 tbsp light brown sugar
• 2½ tsp olive oil
• ¾ tsp ground turmeric
• 1⅓ cups/200g roasted and salted cashews
• 2 tsp cumin seeds

CURRY LEAF OIL §

• 1 small Fresno chile, thinly sliced, seeds and all (2 tbsp/10g)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 20 fresh curry leaves (from 2 sprigs)

LIME DRESSING §

• 5 tbsp/70ml lime juice (from about 4 limes)
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp poppy seeds
• ¼ tsp salt
• 5 tbsp/75ml olive oil

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Method §

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a medium baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Make the turmeric cashews. Put the sugar, oil, turmeric, and 2 tablespoons of water into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil on medium heat, stirring often, then add the cashews and cumin. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, until the seeds and nuts are coated in a sticky glaze. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet, using a spatula to spread the nuts out. Bake for 14 minutes, stirring once halfway, until golden. Set aside to cool completely.
3. Make the curry leaf oil by putting the chile and oil into a small frying pan. Place it on medium heat and cook for 7 minutes, or until the chile starts to develop a shine, then add the curry leaves and cook for 2-3 minutes more, stirring often, until the leaves turn translucent.
4. Make the dressing by putting the lime juice, mustard, garlic, poppy seeds, and ¼ teaspoon of salt into a small bowl and whisking to combine. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking continuously until incorporated.
5. In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, carrots, onion, ½ teaspoon of salt, and a good grind of pepper. Pour in the dressing, mixing well to combine, and let soften slightly, about 15 minutes. Fold in the cilantro and mint, then transfer to a large serving platter.
6. Drizzle the curry leaf oil all over and sprinkle with a handful of the turmeric cashews, serving the rest in a bowl alongside, to munch on.