From the menu of … Willy's Mexicana Grill, 2566 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta. 404-500-1767. www.willys.com
Q: My family and I are longtime fans of Willy's Mexicana Grill. The made-to-order burritos keep everyone happy. One of the filing options is a cilantro coleslaw. Can you see if they would share the recipe? I'm dying to make a portion big enough to serve and enjoy as a side dish. I also have big plans to add it to my recipe for fish tacos. Thanks! — Tina Budnitz, Norcross
A: Diana Pannier, director of marketing for Willy's Mexicana Grill, sent this scaled-down version of the recipe served at the company's 23 locations. She wrote us that when the Willy's Mexicana Grill executive team is asked about favorite dishes, this coleslaw is generally included in the list.
“It makes a great accompaniment to any burrito or taco but it’s the mainstay of our Charolita Taco. This is an authentic street-style taco that comes on a soft corn tortilla with a choice of grilled meat, Southwest Coleslaw, onions, cilantro and tomatillo salsa,” she wrote. Traditional tacos are topped with lettuce, but street-style tacos use cabbage for the crunch.
This marinated slaw will keep for up to a week, just losing some of its crispness as it sits.
Willy’s Mexicana Grill’s Southwest Coleslaw
Hands on: 15 minutes Total time: 15 minutes Makes: 6 cups (serving size 1/2 cup)
1 pound green cabbage, chopped
1 1/2 cups chopped cilantro
1 cup 1/4-inch diced onion
1/2 cup 1/4-inch diced celery
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
In a large bowl, combine cabbage, cilantro, onion, celery and jalapeno. Toss thoroughly to combine.
In a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, cumin, oregano and salt. Slowly whisk in oil until well blended. Pour over cabbage mixture and toss. May be made up to a week ahead and refrigerated.
Per 1/2-cup serving: 140 calories (percent of calories from fat, 78), 2 grams protein, 6 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 12 grams fat (1 gram saturated), no cholesterol, 74 milligrams sodium.
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