Bronte’s summer coleslaw
There’s coleslaw and then there is coleslaw.
I love coleslaw, I really do, but I detest the gloopy factory-made rubbish that seems to have become standard fare in supermarkets all over. If you ask me, the secret to a good slaw is lightly pickling the cabbage base before adding a punchy, flavourful dressing.
Ingredients
CABBAGE BASE
- 300 g shredded white and red cabbage
- 1 red onion
- 2 large carrots
- 100 ml water + 1 tbsp
- 100 ml white wine vinegar + 1 tbsp
- 3 tbsp icing’ sugar or confectioners’ sugar
- ½ tsp salt
DRESSING
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp buttermilk
- 1 tbsp icing’ sugar or confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp white wine vinegar only if needed
- ½ tsp celery salt
- 1 tsp grated fresh horseradish or horseradish sauce
- salt
- ground black pepper
TO SERVE
- 3 spring onions/scallions sliced
- 50 g toasted walnuts chopped
- 30-35 g pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- Place the shredded white and red cabbage in a large bowl. Finely slice the red onion into half rounds, and then grate (or julienne, if you can be bothered) the carrots and add both to the bowl. In another bowl or jug/pitcher, mix together the water, white wine vinegar, icing/confectioners’ sugar and salt. Pour over the cabbage, then cover the bowl and shake well. Leave for at least one hour, ideally two – shake it once in a while. You’re lightly sousing the cabbage, ensuring it is easier to eat and digest.
- Press the cabbage free of excess vinegar liquid and leave in a sieve/strainer until excess vinegar has drained. The cabbage will now be softer and the onion appear almost a little cooked. Make sure the vinegar is well pressed out or the end result will be too acidic.
- Mix together the ingredients for the dressing. Mix the dressing with the slaw and taste – it should be a bit tangy. If not, add a teaspoon extra of vinegar (this depends how much of the pickle juice was pressed out – it is easier to add a bit than remove if too much).
- Just before serving, fold in the spring onion/scallions and toasted chopped walnuts. Sprinkle over the pumpkin seeds for extra crunch. This coleslaw is extra delicious on days two and three – when it will be pink (if you have used red cabbage).
Notes
Recipe from her book ScandiKitchen Summer – out now.
Great served alongside the Beef Lindstroöm burgers or just as a side to most other summer dishes.
