This Week’s Recipe: Nashi Pear and Cabbage Salad

Why Nashi Pear and Cabbage Salad?

I have forgotten how much I love a Nashi Pear.

Also known as Asian pear or apple pear, I remember them being extremely popular when I was in primary school. During the summer months if you wanted to fit in with the trends, you needed to have a nashi pear in your lunch box.

A cross between an apple and a pear, the nashi pear is nothing like sweet and tender European pears. Instead, they have a higher water content, giving them their characteristic crisp and grainy texture.

A salad is a fantastic way to enjoy this beautiful summer fruit.

A light dressing with a hint of Asian flair and crunchy earthy cabbage are both perfect matched with thin slices of this sweet crunchy and juicy pear.

When buying nashi pears look for large fruit that are firm and fragrant. Also look for ones that are wrapped in the unique white or purple lattice protective wrapping, as the high water content means they can bruise easily.

Having remembered this characteristic wrapping I am now not sure if the popularity at school was in fact the delicious fruit, or what accessories we could make from the wrapper…

Ingredients
300g cabbage, shredded
1 large nashi pear or Asian pear, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons white rice vinegar
1 teaspoon Mirin
1 tablespoon caster sugar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Chives
Salt
Pepper

Method

In a bowl whisk together the sesame oil, sugar, vinegar and vegetable oil. Season with salt and pepper.

In a bowl toss together the cabbage and pear and dressing and garnish with chives.

Serves 4

Bon Appetite