Fennel Slaw

February 8, 2017

Is Mercury in retrograde again? Is there a full moon right now? Or, are my kids just trying to kill me? Like legit just test my patience until I have none left. I really think it might be the latter of the three. And, if that is the case, I better get these grown out highlights touched up right quick since I am sure grey hairs are going to be popping up all over the place.

Andy is three now.

Have you ever heard parents of three year olds tell parents of two year olds, “Oh, you think 2 is bad? Wait until they turn three.”

Well, like most, I scoffed. Yeah, every age is bad. Hahaha, wait until they turn 16… Blah, blah, blah.

It seems you older and wiser parents were a bit right. This week I am getting this feeling that Andy has saved up all his terrible two nonsense for um, starting right NOW. Why?

And, naps? Oh he seems to have forgotten what those are. Why oh why don’t kids understand how lovely sleep is? This is the only time in your life where people will encourage you to sleep more. Not only does it make for a happy mommy, it makes for a happy kid. Seriously.

On top of all that, Jack seems to have synched up with his toddlerhood. Why oh why do both of you have to be miserable at the same time?

Growth spurts? Teething?

There has to be some reasoning.

My mom tells me that this never ends. As a parent of more than one kid, it seems that everybody decides to screw up, get in trouble, or be just in a bad mood around the same time. In my and my brothers’ case, we can’t help it. In my little sweet baby’s case, I am sure there has got to be some conspiracy against me.

I am soooooo over winter. I think that might be the problem. We all have been cooped up indoors for like 4 solid months. We are all starting to get to each other a little bit. We need spring. We need more rays of light.

The most I can do is make bright food; they won’t eat it, but it will make me happy. Chomping down on a big forkful of this meyer lemon, fennel, and parmesan cheese slaw will cheer anybody up. It may even transport you to a few weeks ago when you maybe didn’t have to do cry it out and time outs every single dang day. At least for a second.

Are you in this too? I cannot be the only one fighting the toddler wars. Send adult beverages and messages of love.

Fennel Slaw

A bright and crisp winter side featuring fennel, cabbage, meyer lemons, and parmesan cheese.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Fennel Bulb stems removed and a few fronds reserved
  • 1 1/2 Cups Thinly Shredded Cabbage
  • 2 Tablespoons Meyer lemon Juice
  • Zest from 1 Meyer Lemon
  • 3 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 Tablespoon Freshly Chopped Flat Leaf Parsley
  • Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Instructions

  1. Slice the fennel bulb in half. Use a mandolin set on the second smallest setting to slice the bulb. Stop just when you reach the core. Do the same with the 1/4 head of cabbage until you shred about 1 1/2 cups.
  2. In a medium/small mixing bowl, combine the olive oil and lemon juice. Add in the cabbage and fennel along with a few bits of torn off frond.
  3. Add salt, pepper, parsley, parmesan, and lemon zest. Mix and then add more salt or pepper according to your taste preferences.
  4. Can be prepped up to two days in advance and chilled in the fridge. Pairs well with fish tacos and fried or shredded chicken sandwiches. Recipe adapted from Sprouted Kitchen

You Might Also Like

  • Jenn
    February 14, 2017 at 3:17 pm

    Mine’s only one and it’s been a ROUGH 3 weeks. Like no one’s sleeping ever rough. o_O It’s gotta turn around soon, right? RIGHT???

    At least this recipe’s giving me hope for spring.