I created this delicate slaw to showcase the vegetables—curlicue pea shoots, tender carrots, spicy arugula, and fresh herbs—that mark the arrival of spring.

　　

Ingredients

serves 8 to 10

　　

Slaw

1/2 head green cabbage (about 1 1/2 pounds), cored and very thinly sliced

　　2 cups arugula, washed and drained

　　2 cups pea shoots, washed and drained

　　1 bunch small multicolored carrots or 2 large carrots, julienned

　　

Vinaigrette

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

　　1/4 cup chopped mixed fresh spring herbs, such as chives, mint, cilantro, parsley, and dill

　　Zest and juice of 1 lime

　　Zest and juice of 1 lemon

　　1 shallot, minced

　　2 tablespoons sherry vinegar

　　1 tablespoon honey

　　Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

　　

Slaw

Step 1

Combine the cabbage, arugula, pea shoots, and carrots in a large bowl and toss gently to mix.

　　

Vinaigrette

Step 2

Combine the olive oil, herbs, lime zest and juice, lemon zest and juice, shallot, vinegar, and honey in a bowl and whisk to mix.

　　

Step 3

Pour the vinaigrette over the cabbage mixture, season with salt and pepper to taste, and toss gently to mix. Serve at room temperature or refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to serve. (If making ahead of time, wait to add the pea shoots until just before serving.)

　　

On the Side

Step 4

The bright mixture of honey and citrus in the vinaigrette makes this slaw the perfect accompaniment for mild fish, like Grilled Grouper with Heirloom Tomato Salsa (page 102) or Chicken Under a Skillet (page 139).

　　Reprinted with permission from Sara Foster's Southern Kitchen: Soulful, Traditional, Seasonal by Sara Foster. Copyright © 2011 by Sara Foster. Published by Random House. All Rights Reserved.Sara Foster is the owner of Foster's Market, the acclaimed gourmet take-out store/cafés in Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and the author of several cookbooks including The Foster's Market Cookbook, winner of the Best Cookbook Award from the Southeast Booksellers Association. She has appeared numerous times on Martha Stewart Living Television and NBC's Today show. She has also been featured in magazines such as More, House Beautiful, and Southern Living, and is featured regularly in Bon Appétit.