Coleslaw - almost but not quite :D

[peaceful_sands]

So I was serving quiche for dinner this evening and decided to make some coleslaw to go with it. It's ages since I've made coleslaw myself despite the fact that I far prefer it to the shop bought stuff which, for my taste, is always far too drippy and smothered with way too much mayonnaise.

I thought I would share my pseudo-coleslaw with you and see if anyone has any suggestions for the next batch. I've not included quantities because it's basically an 'as much as you feel like' kind of recipe - nothing is going to go drastically wrong if you use different quantities.

My ingredients

White cabbage
Red onion
Raw mushroom
Carrots (I picked some Chantenay ones which are supposed to be a little sweeter than the average)
Dried apricots
Mayonnaise

I diced everything (except the mayonnaise!) threw it in a bowl and mixed it up and then added enough mayo to coat but not drown the veg. And the nice thing is there's enough to go on lunch tomorrow. Today I didn't add them, but I also sometimes throw in a few chopped fresh chives.

I like adding the apricots for just that occasional bite of something a little sweeter. I know the shop bought ones sometimes include pineapple or sultanas, which is what made me begin to think about what else could go in. So does anyone have any other suggestions of things that they add to coleslaw for just that hint of unusual.

Comments

[ironjeff]

For those who hate a coleslaw drowning in mayo, the Tam O'Shanter restaurant has a recipe that is fantastic:

http://www.food.com/recipe/tam-o-shanter-coleslaw-184964

[peaceful_sands]

Ooooh, that sounds different- and nice! Another one to try :D

[cougars_catnip]

currants and almond slivers. dried apples and spiced pecans. dried sweetened cranberries and walnuts.

[peaceful_sands]

Particularly like the idea of the apples, pecans and cranberries

[cougars_catnip]

oo that does sound good. :) yumm

CC

[elynross]

I was thinking chopped candied ginger might be awesome. Also, I often add (or make my slaw from) slivered broccoli. I've also used pineapple in juice, and then thinned the mayo with some of the juice. Cabbage, carrots, raisins, and pineapple are great this way.

[peaceful_sands]

Candied ginger - I've never come across that, it definitely sounds interesting. Pineapple I've included in the past, although I've never tried using the juice in the mayo - I should imagine that would give an interesting tang to it. Thanks for the suggestions.

[elynross]

This is what I get, then I chop it up. It's also awesome in oatmeal.

[peaceful_sands]

I'll see if I can get a small pack in a local health food store and try it out. Thanks for the suggestion. :D

[kyriacarlisle]

Mango, either ripe or slightly under ripe - I usually cut it into matchsticks, but chunks would be fine, too. It's especially nice with some red curry paste mixed into the mayonnaise.

[peaceful_sands]

That sounds good. I like the idea of mixing the curry paste with the mayo to change that taste just a little. Thanks for the ideas.

[mfb]

I have a newbie question -- can you describe the texture of the coleslaw? I've historically loved me some coleslaw, but I've had some bad experiences with homemade coleslaw that turned into this ... indescribably foamy, drying texture in my mouth -- and I'm not sure exactly what was missing that caused that, so it makes me apprehensive of ever trying to make it myself.

[peaceful_sands]

I've never had that happen. I always use fresh crisp ingredients when it comes to things like the carrots and cabbage and any apples or such that I add in (obviously things like pineapple or apricots are going to be softer). And it make it to serve - leftovers get eaten the next day - I wouldn't tend to keep it longer than that. I prefer homemade coleslaw to shop bought because I don't like the mayonnaise to be so thin or to drown the veg, so I use it fairly sparingly. I don't know if anyone else has any better information to share. I hope so.

[mfb]

Thanks! I suppose I'll have to try it once. Incredibly likely that what I had was old, anyway.

[explorer0713]

I have never ever heard of fruit and nuts in cole slaw. Sounds gross to me.

[cougars_catnip]

Technically many of the items we think of as vegetables are actually fruits. Such as tomato, and many of them play as well for the sweet team as they do the savory. ( for instance Carrot Cake.) Give it a try sometime you may just discover a new favorite. :)
CC

Red Cabbage and Apple Salad

[cougars_catnip]

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon spicy or Creole mustard
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 medium unpeeled Gala, Red Delicious, or Fuji apples, cored, quartered, and thinly sliced crosswise
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 cups coarsely shredded red cabbage
2 cups coarsely shredded green cabbage
3/4 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup pecan halves, toasted, optional
salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation:
Whisk both vinegars and mustard in small bowl. Gradually whisk in the honey and olive oil.

Toss apples with lemon juice, shredded cabbage, and dried cranberries. Add dressing and toss. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in pecans, if using. Refrigerate the salad and toss again before serving.
Serves 6.