Coleslaw

Coleslaw is one of those foods you like a certain way. For me, I have to be in the mood for it. I like mine a little sweeter than tangy. My husband likes coleslaw a lot but he loves mayonnaise. Yes, he will eat raw cabbage but only if there is a lot of mayonnaise. 

I think the best way to have coleslaw is with barbeque or a picnic. I prefer the picnic but there is too much snow outside and I figure we will have to wait. We have held a picnic in the living room but we have a crazy dog and I think it just wouldn't be pretty. I will admit I did not shred the cabbage but I bought the coleslaw package. It is faster.

Coleslaw
1 cup of mayonnaise
2 1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 cup cider vinegar
2 tsp celery seed plus a little more for garnish.
1/2 medium head cabbage, finely shredded
1 medium carrot, shredded
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Mix the mayonnaise, sugar, cider vinegar, and celery seed in a large bowl.
2. Add the shredded cabbage and carrots. 
3. Toss well.
4. Taste and if needed add a little salt and pepper.
5. Top with additional celery seed for garnish.
6. Chill for at least half an hour and enjoy!

Recipe from Jen of Sweet Morris.
 
Did you already know.....
-Coleslaw word is from the the Dutch word koolsla which is cabbage salad.
-The Ancient Romans prepared a similar dish with cabbage, eggs, vinegar and spices.
-Another name for coleslaw is cold slaw or slaw.

German Red Cabbage

Oktoberfest! I wish I was there. We went last year to Germany and it was a lot of fun. I'm not a big beer drinker so I remember it. I took lots of photos so my husband could remember too! So, I made a meal that could have been served in one of the tents.

Menu:
Bratwurst (aka sausage)
German Potato Salad
Spaetzle (aka pasta)
German Red Cabbage

We went with my Dad so he came over to enjoy the fest. He also told me if I was making the cabbage correctly. One of the ingredients is ground cloves. I asked him if I should omit it but he said no. He also had me add more. I really had doubts about this ingredients but it was good.The recipe does take over 2 hours to make so it is ideal for a Sunday dinner.

German Red Cabbage
2 Tbsp butter
6 cups shredded red cabbage (I just roughly sliced thin)
1 cup sliced Gala apples
 1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
3 Tbsp water
2 1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp ground cloves

Directions
1. In a large pot, melt butter.
2. Add cabbage, apples, and sugar.
3. Pour in the vinegar and water.(Yes the water amount is correct).
4. Season with salt, pepper, and the ground cloves (be brave).
5. Bring to a boil over medium high heat.
6. Once the water boils, reduce the heat to low.
7. Cover and simmer 2 hours.

 Recipe adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/grandma-jeanettes-amazing-german-red-cabbage/detail.aspx.

Did you already know...................

Oktoberfest Facts:

-The festivities the festivities were to honor the marriage of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig's to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildurghausen.

-It is the largerst fair in the world.
-There are more than 5 million people attend every year. I was one of those people last year and it was neat to hear all the different languages being spoken in one tent. I met people from Japan, Australia, England, Italy, Germany, and of course Bavaria.
-The "tents" are as big as a warehouse.
-What surprised me at the fair was there are amusement park rides.
-Many men wear Lederhosen (leather breeches) which are passed down generations.
-Many women wear Dirndlgewand. When you purchase a dirndl, you need to pick a bodice, blouse, skirt, and an apron plus any accesseries. It can be expensive.
-It is free to enter the ground fairs but with the exchange rate the beers are pricey.