Recipe: Napa Mint Slaw (with hot bacon and orange dressing)

NAPA MINT SLAW

5 slices bacon, chopped
salad oil (optional)
1 medium head napa cabbage, about 1 1/2 lbs., washed and crisped.
1 cup lightly packed fresh mint
1/3 cup chopped roasted salted peanuts
FOR THE DRESSING:
1/3 cup orange juice
3 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp sugar

In 8 to 10-inch frying pan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp (about 8 minutes). Lift out and drain; set aside. Discard all but 3 tbsp. of the drippings from the pan (add oil, if necessary, to make 3 tbsp.); set pan aside.

Remove 6 large outer leaves from cabbage and set aside. Cut head of cabbage crosswise into 1/4-inch slices.

Setting aside 6 fresh mint sprigs for garnish, finely chop remaining mint. Combine with cabbage, peanuts and bacon in a large bowl.

TO PREPARE THE DRESSING:
Place pan with drippings over high heat and stir in orange juice, vinegar and sugar. Cook just until drippings are melted and dressing is hot. Immediately pour hot dressing over salad and mix quickly until well coated.

TO SERVE:
Place a whole cabbage leaf on each of 6 salad plates; mound salad on each leaf. Garnish with reserved mint.

Servings: 6
Source: Sunset Fresh Ways with Salads by the editors of Sunset Books and Sunset Magazine