Fresh Pineapple Slaw

Healthy Vegetarian Pineapple Salad Recipe, Low Calorie, Low Fat, Low Glycemic Index, Moderating Glycemic Load

Ben Gebo Photography

[donotprint]STRATEGY SESSION: All of the fresh ingredients in this slaw are naturally low in fat and calories. Pineapple has a relatively high glycemic index, but it's balanced by the low-GI cabbage and peppers so that the glycemic load of the dish is moderated. I minimize the dressing's fat and calories by using reduced-fat mayo and yogurt instead of full fat.

After years of ignored e-mails, I eventually came up with a sure-fire method of communicating electronically with my son. I learned to put the entire message in the subject line. Yesterday’s said: “I have fresh chicken salad. I miss you. Tomorrow is Mother’s Day.” A few hours later, he dropped by, served himself some chicken salad, and allowed me to “hang out” with him for a while. There, in the kitchen, I got my Mother’s Day gift: He answered questions on week 1 of his new job. After asking about the work itself (safe territory), I got to the things that really interested me: the commute (not too bad), the people (diverse, some his age, likes them pretty well), and what he does for lunch (brings his own, goes out with office mates, or hits the corporate café). Now this may seem like small potatoes if you’ve never been the mother of a 25-year-old male, but to me it was HUGE and indescribably sweet. …Which brings me to the general topic of mothering as feeding and today’s Trufflehead recipe. Mothers are always asking me how they can get their children to eat vegetables. I say: make whatever it is a little sweeter. For example, you can sprinkle a tiny bit of sugar on vegetables before roasting, broiling, or grilling. (Try ½ teaspoon sugar over 2 pounds green beans that have been tossed in olive oil and lightly salted. Roast at 450º F. for 15 minutes or until crisp-tender, tossing once about half way through.) Another option: Combine veggies with fruits, as in this pineapple slaw. Even if they only eat the pineapple, it’s much better for them than most of the other things they could be eating. Skip the chives and serve it to them with chicken salad. Note: Although the dressing can be made in advance, don’t assemble the salad until the last minute. Pineapple contains and enzyme that turns makes other ingredients mushy if they are exposed for too long. Serving suggestions: Serve with grilled chicken or chicken salad. [/donotprint]