Apple walnut red cabbage slaw

For a bright and delicious slaw with a a crisp and crunchy texture plus a sweet and zesty flavor, you must try this apple walnut red cabbage coleslaw. Enjoy it on blackened chicken tacos, pulled pork, or all on it's own - as a colorful cabbage salad. As soon as the colder months roll around it seems I'm always picking up a beautiful head of cabbage. The vibrant color is irresistable, and naturally - I'm also leaving the market with some lovely crisp apples. Combining shredded cabbage with sweet apple will yield your new favorite slaw recipe. It's light and perfectly acidic, and full of seasonal produce and health benefits. Use any leftover ingredients to make a beautiful winter salad. This recipe pairs well with my slow cooker bbq pulled chicken. The two are divine paired together on a warm buttered bun, paired with a cinnamon vanilla whisky sour and made complete followed by skillet apple crumble with homemade cinnamon bourbon ice cream. 

Why this recipe is awesome!

-basic ingredients -cabbage is naturally spicy, so the combination of ingredients are well balanced and divine great crispy texture thanks to crunchy walnuts -this can be served as a topping for your favorite pulled pork or chicken, but also on it's own as a side dish / an apple cabbage salad -it uses delicious seasonal produce -it's loaded with nutrients like vitamin C to keep you feeling your best this busy season. The nutrition facts will please you and satisfy your taste buds -it's plant based and can easily be made vegan -it's extremely adaptable, go ahead and use any remaining ingredients and add some warm brussels sprouts, sunflower seeds, bacon and blue cheese or parmesan cheese for the best winter salad of your life

Ingredients

There's just a few basic steps needed and simple main ingredients to make homemade slaw. -Red cabbage -Sweet, crisp apple of choice -Garlic -Onion -Walnut -Salt and pepper -Apple cider vinegar -Mayo -Olive oil

See recipe card for quantities.

Possible substitutions

  -A whole head of sweet red cabbage. We love using red cabbage for this slaw, for the extra crunch, and the color - but if all you have is green cabbage, you can still make this recipe. -Sweet crisp apples of choice. If you want the flavor of apple but prefer to keep it tart, use one Granny Smith apple, or any tart green apple -Red onion - You could sub for a small green onions if necessary. -Half head of garlic - Omit if you don't want your slaw to be a little spicy. -Apple cider vinegar - white wine vinegar also works here. -Olive oil - Any vegetable oil will do, walnut oil is particularly divine if you have it. -Mayo or dijon mustard - Mayo is my preferred ingredient here, but when making this for a vegan family member I've used dijon mustard. Note: dijon mustard will make this slaw extra spicy. -Table salt and black pepper -Walnuts - toasted walnuts are fantastic if you have the time Pro tip: peel your apples and use for homemade cinnamon apple peel syrup

Instructions

Step 1: Chop your walnuts, apple, onion and garlic   Step 2: Make your dressing / vinegar mixture in your medium bowl. Combine your Set aside.   Step 3: Make your cabbage apple salad / slaw by thinly slicing your red cabbage in the big bowl. I use a mandolin to get thin strips, however you could also use he large holes of a box grater or food processor to chop it your cabbage into small pieces. Next you'll add your chopped apple, walnut, onion and garlic. Toss cabbage and combine vegetables with two large spoons or salad forks.   Step 4: One hour before serving, add your dressing and give your cabbage slaw a good toss  

Variations

Giving the visitor ideas on how they can change this recipe to better suit their dinner guests, or their cultural cuisine, is a great way to increase the chances they make the recipe

• Spicy -This slaw is naturally spiced thanks to red cabbage and garlic, but add just a pinch of chili pepper flakes if you want a little extra spice
• Deluxe - Add warmed Brussel sprouts, bacon, and blue cheese for the best winter salad ever
• Kid friendly - Add a tablespoon of brown sugar to kick up the sweetness and curb the naturally spiciness of this recipe
• Vegan - Use dijon mustard instead of mayonnaise in this recipe, or use vegan mayonnaise

Equipment

Large bowl Medium bowl Mandolin, box grater, or food processor

Storage

Store in an airtight container. Best the same day it's prepared, but good for up to three days stored in the refrigerator.  These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing.

Serving suggestion:

Serve this slaw all on it's own, or anywhere that slaw makes sense, like on a burger, taco, pulled pork or pulled chicken.

Food safety

In general discard foods that have been warmer than 40° F for more than 2 hours.