The CSA allotment this week lent itself nicely to a coleslaw with a difference. We had cabbage, Portuguese peppers, bell peppers, onion, lovage and carrots. Perfect for Knife skills practice.

Another great reason to make slaw was finding Hellman’s mayonnaise in the grocery store this week. It is my hands-down favorite and it had disappeared from the shelves here several months ago. I have been making due with the salad dressing-y mayo products that were left on offer, and I even resorted to making my own mayo, which, to be frank, is not what I want to do when I am trying to get people who need lunch out the door in the morning. When I saw the happy royal blue lid on the shelf again with its lovely solid and squat little jar, I bought three, and now I have to justify it.

Also, braai season is fully upon us as the sun beats down, sometimes even on the weekend, and nothing is better with a huge rack of flaming flesh, than some vegetables holding their own in the cholesterol department. This slaw is crunchy and fresh, but not sweet, like so many traditional slaws. Amp up the peppers, if you like, for a slaw that bites you back.

CSA Slaw

• 4 cups shredded cabbage (knife skill: chiffonade)
• 1 bell pepper, sliced very fine (sliced or diamonds if you feel fancy)
• 3 Portuguese peppers or other small peppers to your taste (sliced into rings)
• 1 cup shredded carrots (knife skill: julienne)
• 1/4 c grated or finely chopped onion (knife skill: brunoise)
• 1/4 cup chopped lovage, or other herb (more chiffonade)
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise (not a sweet one)
• 2 T yogurt or sour cream
• 1 T white wine vinegar
• 1 T honey
• 1 T sweet and sour peppadew brine, or other sweet pickle brine
• salt and pepper

Mix the mayo, yogurt, vinegar, honey, brine and salt and pepper in the salad bowl, whisk well. Tip all of the shredded vegetables and herbs into the dressing and toss well so everything is coated. If possible let it sit overnight for all the flavors to marry.

Yummy on a hot dog, burger or as a side dish. Keep adding veg if you have dressing left in the bowl, you may be able to get two salads out of it.