Creamy Coleslaw With A Kick

Some people like their coleslaw with oil and vinegar dressing. Some prefer creamy.  We swing both ways.  Our creamy coleslaw dressing has evolved and now it has an extra 'kick'.

I have faithfully been following the directions for Bobby Flay's Creamy Coleslaw Dressing to a tee. Over time though the formula has been shifting to adjust to our own tastes in seasonings and also to deal with substitutions when our pantry has been lacking. Our latest concoction is worthy of repeating.

For the base of my slaw I shred one head of green cabbage and part of a red.  Sometimes as much as half, depending on the size.  The carrots are also size dependent, but usually I grate two or three.  Let your colour sense dictate your blend.  I find the proportions are more about looks than taste. Some think of cabbage as peasant food so I do like it to be a snappy dresser.

How has my latest dressing varied from the original by Bobby Flay?

I have upped the mayonnaise and sour cream to make sure there is enough dressing. Partly because the volume of slaw has increased from adding the red cabbage. And cabbage head sizes can be so unpredictable. I now add celery seeds and less celery salt.  The vinegar is less, as is the sugar.

The latest big change - dry mustard has been reduced to make room for the kick of horseradish. Truth be told, we ran out of dry mustard. The horseradish idea seemed like a stroke of brilliance.  The darling son's idea.  I take no credit. My observation - aversion to last minute grocery store runs can be the mother of invention.

I put the pre-dressed slaw together and store in a Ziploc bag with all the air removed.  I only dress as much slaw as I am using in a serving to keep it crisp. Coleslaw is a wonderful side dish for ham or pork of any kind. Terrific as a picnic food. I like it just as a midday snack.

What makes your creamy coleslaw dressing pack the punch?

Anne and Bobby's Creamy Coleslaw Dressing
Inspired by Bobby Flay, Food Network

1 1/4 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons sour cream
1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons celery salt
3/4 teaspoon celery seeds
2 tablespoons minced onion
1 teaspoon horseradish
2 teaspoons dry mustard

Combine all the ingredients together and adjust to taste.  The dressing can keep chilled in the fridge for a few days.

Napa Cabbage Coleslaw from my Roots and Shoots Farm CSA Basket

I love a freshly harvested cabbage for coleslaw. Although napa cabbage is a bit unconventional for slaw, I decided to give it a try since this week's CSA basket from Roots and Shoots Farm had said cabbage, plus a bunch of carrots and also onions.







I used my KitchenAid food processor for shredding the cabbage and grating the carrots. The small cutting blade for the cabbage and the large grating blade for the carrots.

Because napa cabbage does not grow as tightly as a normal head of green cabbage, it can easily catch the dirt from the field, as well as some outdoor creatures. We cut the base of the cabbage off before washing each leave individually.

After it was well dried, I made bundles to push through the food processor.



My favourite dressing is Bobby Flay's Creamy Coleslaw recipe, which I found on the Food Network website a few years ago.



Creamy Coleslaw
adapted from Bobby Flay, Food Network

1 head napa cabbage, finely shredded
1/2 bunch of carrots, cleaned, peeled and grated

Dressing:
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 small onion grated
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon dry mustard
2 teaspoon celery salt
freshly ground pepper to taste
sprinkle of celery seeds 



The napa cabbage is structurally a mix of very delicate leaves and a base of typical cabbage density. Although the slaw was lovely when served right away, I am not so optimistic about its beauty when we have it for lunch tomorrow. I would consider just dressing what I would use for the meal and keep extra the cabbage/carrot combo separate from the dressing for later. The shredded cabbage should be well packaged though so it doesn't brown or wilt.

Next time I also want to reduce the salt and will try to make my own celery salt by using celery powder and salt with a lower ratio on the salt.