Pineapple-Apple Slaw

As much as I love to cook, I’m often stymied when asked to bring a dish to a pot luck. Everyone wants to bring the big bowl of magic that is empty by the end, where everyone asks for the recipe. But a lot of times, pot luck dishes are just not how I normally cook. Meatballs in a crock pot. Cans of “cream of XYZ” soup in a casserole. Yeah, not so much.

I actually discovered this recipe in just this way. At a potluck. The crunch of the peanuts and sweetness of the apples and pineapple is what really made it for me. But I have a childhood fondness for sweetened mayo as a dressing on any kind of fruit. I’m sure there’s a recipe for THAT in the Joy of Cooking somewhere.

This is an inexpensive and easy slaw that is great at pot lucks, and is the perfect cool summer salad on hot hot days. Note that the onions in this are optional. The woman who originally made this was allergic to them, and she is the SECOND woman I know who is allergic to onions. Who knew? As I’m not a fan of raw onions, I leave them off.

Pineapple-Apple Slaw

3 cups finely shredded cabbage (I don’t measure – I just slice up about half of a cabbage)
1 chopped apple
1 cup pineapple, fresh or canned (if can, drain and reserve juice)
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 cup roasted salted peanuts
Finely sliced scallions (optional)

Dressing

1/2 cup mayonnaise (I use the lite version)
1 tbsp pineapple juice (if using fresh pineapple, just squish a couple of chunks in your hands)
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup dried cranberries (or raisins, if you like that kind of thing)

In large bowl, combine cabbage, apple, pineapple, celery and peanuts. Mix dressing. Toss to combine and chill before serving.