Ingredients:

  • 1 small head Green Cabbage (about 3 lbs), finely shredded
  • 1 cup Red Cabbage (packed), finely shredded, for colour
  • 2 medium Large Carrots, peeled and grated or julienned
  • 1 teaspoon Coarse Salt (Kosher or Sea), for drawing out moisture
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise (full-fat recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar (or White Wine Vinegar)
  • 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon Celery Seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon Fresh Black Pepper

Instructions:

  1. Shred and Combine: Using a sharp knife or mandoline, finely shred the green and red cabbage. Grate or finely julienne the carrots. Place all vegetables into the large mixing bowl.
  2. Salt and Wait: Sprinkle the 1 teaspoon of coarse salt over the shredded vegetables. Toss thoroughly to distribute the salt evenly. Let the salted mixture sit for 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
  3. Rinse and Dry (Crucial): Transfer the cabbage/carrot mix to a colander. Rinse briefly under cold water to remove the excess salt. Squeeze the mixture vigorously with your hands or blot using a clean tea towel to remove as much residual water as possible. This prevents a watery coleslaw later. Return the well-drained vegetables to the large, dry mixing bowl.
  4. Whisk the Wet Base: In a smaller bowl, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, granulated sugar, celery seeds, and black pepper. Whisk the ingredients until the dressing is completely smooth and the sugar is dissolved.
  5. Dress Gently: Pour about three-quarters of the prepared dressing over the dry cabbage and carrot mixture. Using a large spoon or spatula, gently fold and toss the vegetables until they are evenly coated. Add more dressing if you prefer a wetter consistency.
  6. Chill (The Flavour Marriage): Cover the bowl and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes. This allows the flavours to meld beautifully and the cabbage to slightly tenderize while maintaining its essential crunch.
  7. Final Check and Serve: Just before serving, give the creamy coleslaw a final quick toss. Taste again and adjust the seasoning (salt and pepper) if necessary.