All's fair in love and slaw.

It's been a long day.  The day after a holiday is always murder where I work.  Lots of stress between my day job and theatre stuff.  That's OK.  I lost 5.6 pounds this week at Weight Watchers. 

You would think that trying to lose weight would make food my enemy.  Instead, we're becoming best friends.  Veggies, fruit, cheese, you're my homeboys.  Fresh herbs, I heart you!  Eggs.  Well, I think I'm falling in love.  I'm learning that cooking is a way to feed not only my hungry hubby (and my cat), but it's a way to feed my soul.  It's also my favorite way to show that I care. 

A few weeks ago, I gave my mom a surprise 50th birthday party.  It was a southern picnic.  Fried chicken, corn bread, red velvet cake, LOTS of sweet tea vodka, the works.  While I didn't make everything, I made my new favorite recipe.  You see, I was going to make a basic slaw, but I didn't have any celery seed.  So, I said, "Shannon, you have about forty different spices in your pantry.  Seriously, you can't find something else to flavor that boring old cabbage with?"  OK.  Maybe it was more like "Crap.  Where's the freaking celery seed!  What the hell am I going to do?  Damn, damn, damn!!!" 

So, out came the Chinese five spice, soy sauce, Trader Joe's Orange Muscat Vinegar, sesame seeds, Sriracha, sesame oil, and mayonnaise.  Five minutes later I had that best slaw ever!  My husband, who hates slaw with a passion had two helpings!  Two! 

It did pretty well yesterday at our friends Mark and Kelly's Memorial Day barbecue, too!  Celery seed?  What celery seed?

Spicy Asian Slaw

2 Bags slaw mix - either plain cabbage, like I used, or rainbow slaw
1/2 - 3/4 cup reduced fat mayonaise - depends on how creamy you like it
1 - 2 tablespoons Sriracha  - - I like it hot!!! 
2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds
1/2 cup apple cider vineagar
1/4 cup Trader Joe's Orange Muscat Vineagar
2 teaspoons Chinese five spice
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan until golden - - when you start to smell them, they're done.  Let cool.  Whisk together all of the ingrediants except slaw and sesame seeds (taste to make sure you have it the way you like it).  Pour mixture and seeds over slaw and toss.  Chill for a half hour to an hour to let the flavors marry.  Serve to those you love!