For a brash Memphis coleslaw, cook a spicy dressing ahead

Memphis Chopped Coleslaw is usually studded with celery seeds and crunchy green peppers and tossed with an unapologetically sugary mustard dressing that’s balanced by a bracing hit of vinegar. (File Photo: George Wesley & Bonita Dannells/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

The high water content of cabbage is typically to blame for watery slaws. We salted our cabbage to draw out the excess moisture.

Memphis Chopped Coleslaw is usually studded with celery seeds and crunchy green peppers and tossed with an unapologetically sugary mustard dressing that’s balanced by a bracing hit of vinegar.

To ensure our slaw boasted brash, balanced flavour, we quickly cooked the spicy dressing to meld the flavours and tossed the hot dressing with the cabbage. The salted cabbage absorbed the dressing and became seasoned inside and out.

The pre-cooked salted, rinsed, and dried cabbage mixture can be refrigerated in a zipper-lock bag for up to 24 hours.

MEMPHIS CHOPPED COLESLAW

Servings: 8-10

Start to finish: 2 1/2 hours

1 head green cabbage (2 pounds), cored and chopped fine (12 cups)

1 jalapeno chili, stemmed, seeded, and minced

1 carrot, peeled and shredded on box grater

1 small onion, peeled and shredded on box grater

2 teaspoons salt

1/4cup yellow mustard

1/4 cup chili sauce

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4cup sour cream

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1 teaspoon celery seeds

2/3 cup packed light brown sugar

Toss cabbage, jalapeno, carrot, onion, and salt in colander set over medium bowl. Let stand until wilted, about 1 hour. Rinse cabbage mixture under cold water, drain, dry well with paper towels, and transfer to large bowl.

Bring mustard, chili sauce, mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, celery seeds, and sugar to boil in saucepan over medium heat. Pour over cabbage and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Serve.

——

Nutrition information per serving: 181 calories; 70 calories from fat; 8 g fat ( g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 6 mg cholesterol; 660 mg sodium; 27 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 19 g sugar; 3 g protein.

——

For more recipes, cooking tips and ingredient and product reviews, visit https://www.americastestkitchen.com . Find more recipes like Memphis Chopped Coleslaw in “The Complete Cook’s Country TV Show Season 10 Cookbook. “