My California family has a long-standing tradition that whenever I’m “home”, in the USA, we go to La Especial in Leucadia, California. This is where the family goes at least twice a month; what can I say? One of the most delicious cabbage salads in the world awaits me and is always fresh, zingy, and just to die for, seriously. However, it is so dang simple to make. Here it is, and it’s all in a simple salad dressing! Oh, by the way, my recipe calls for the jalapeños…of course!
South of the Border Slaw
May 1, 2018
: 6 cups
: 15 min
Ingredients
- 1/2 white cabbage sliced thin
- 1/4 purple cabbage slices thin
- 5 red radishes sliced thin
- 1 large carrot grated
- 1/2 medium fresh jalapeño diced
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice or more
- 1/4 cups olive oil or more!
- 1 tsp Himalayan salt
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves finely chopped
Directions
- Step 1 No need to ramble….put all the above ingredients in a large bowl and squeeze the lime over the top. Drizzle with the oil. Toss in the salt and give it a good mixing, and voila! This can be made ahead of time. Actually, the longer it sits, the better!
- Step 2 Make sure it is room temperature when you serve it. You’ll need to make a taste test before serving like all good cooks…it might need another zap of lime or a pinch more salt!


I'm Melinda Stevens and living the life of a beach bum was inevitable since my father was a lifeguard for the city of Los Angeles. My memories of growing up on John Street in Manhattan Beach, California were filled with joy, excitement and adventures; until my world, as I knew it, fell apart when we moved to Del Mar, California. My father was offered the position as Captain of the lifeguards and we started the slow migration to the small deserted stretch of beach in 1963. At twelve years old, this seemed like the end of my life. Remember, I’m writing with clear hindsight now, ok somewhat clearer… Little did I know this would be the beginning of a new journey and give a bit more clarity to many of the events that led me to this new cooking adventure.