A new winter coleslaw, you will never go back....

Big call I know, but this is seriously moreish. Mum wanted some to take home but a few sad scraps of cabbage was all that was left, and it was a big bowl of slaw......
Thanks again to the wonderful Yotam Ottolenghi & his glorious Plenty, if you don't yet own this cookbook can I suggest you immediately purchase? In the meantime keep yourself going with this little gem. Macadamias are caramelised with chilli & salt, then crushed & sprinkled through a crunchy mix of cabbage , herbs, chilli & fresh orange, dressed with a sweet salty vaguely oriental dressing. Tempted? Actually I used cashews in the picture as the macadamias I had were from my friends tree. Short of a jackhammer I am not sure how I was supposed to get to the nut, how hard are those shells???


Handful of macadamias
1 tsp butter
2 tbsp sugar
½ tsp salt
½ tsp chilli flakes
¼ savoy cabbage finely sliced
¼ red cabbage finely sliced
1 orange, peeled and cut into small chunks
1 fresh red chilli, finely sliced
Honey roasted cashews (or peanuts), chopped
Handful of mint leaves
Handful of coriander

Dressing

50 ml lime juice
½ stalk lemongrass, bashed to bruise
2 tbsp maple syrup (use the real thing here)
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
½ tsp soy sauce
Pinch chilli flakes
2 tbsp light oil, eg sunflower, canola



To make the dressing put all the ingredients except the oil in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Boil for approx 5 minutes until thick & syrupy, then strain. When cooled a little beat in the oil and set aside

Lightly toast the macadamias (or other nuts) over a medium heat until lightly coloured. Stir in the butter and allow to melt. Sprinkle over the sugar, salt & chilli flakes and cook for approx 1-2 minutes until caramelised. Watch it as it will burn in seconds! Turn onto greaseproof paper & allow to cool, then roughly chop.

To make the slaw combine the cabbages, orange, chilli, nuts & herbs and toss to combine. Dress and toss again, then check the seasoning. Sprinkle over the macadamias just before serving.

If you don't want to make the caramelised nuts you could also use honey roasted peanuts or cashews chopped for a similar crunchy bite. But I do urge you to try the original at least once, it really is amazing. I served my slaw with snapper fillets wrapped in prosciutto & quickly pan fried. It is also great with a simple roast chicken.

Ok, I havent posted a gratuitous kitten picture in a while, so please enjoy Tommy & Tupppence reclining. I like to remind myself how cute they are asleep. As opposed to dawn raids on the bench, terror attacks on the dishwasher & generalized assaults on innocent shoelaces at any time.....nothing is safe!

I hope you are having a great week, remember to relax & have a snooze now and again.........