Tennessee Steve and his better half, Dorothy Rahn |
LUCY BURDETTE: During the high season in Key West, our fabulous kitchen store and bakery (The Restaurant Store) sponsors an artisan market. I'm there sometimes in the Key West Writers Guild booth, and there are lots of local artists, craft beers, music, and delicious food. But our must-stop is Tennessee Steve's BBQ rib booth. Oh my the ribs are tasty! And I would not even attempt to make them. But I can and do make the healthy and delicious cole slaw that we serve along with the ribs.
I have started buying Fresh Express packages of super kale salad in the supermarket. It comes with packets of pumpkin seeds and cranberries, along with a poppyseed dressing that I don’t use because of sodium content.
Since I always like to try to have extra vegetables on hand, especially during the holiday treat indulgence period, I decided to make a big pile of this coleslaw that I could eat for lunches and dinners all week, in addition to a rib side dish. The "recipe" is very flexible, so you could add carrots or peppers or onions or various herbs as you choose. The secret is to prepare the vegetables ahead of time, and then take them out and dress them as needed. I suppose you could even add them to soups and stews if the whim hits you.
Ingredients
1/2 cabbage
8 to 10 Brussel sprouts
Two broccoli stalks
Large handful of kale
1/3 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
1/3 cup dried cranberries, raisins, or cherries
For the dressing
2 tablespoons good mayonnaise
1/8 cup or more cider vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Fresh black pepper
Either chop, or even better, put the vegetables through your Cuisinart so they are all shredded. Mix.
Stir the mayonnaise with the vinegar, celery seed, salt and sugar, and then whip in the olive oil. Taste to be sure it’s seasoned to your liking.
An hour or two before serving, mix the dressing with the vegetables, then fold in the pepitas and cherries. You could even add a sprinkle of goat cheese if the mood struck you!
We served this with Tennessee Steve’s ribs and baked beans Yum! (Recipe for beans to come...)
Because my purchased copies of SNOWBOUND, this year's anthology of best New England Crime Stories from Level Best Books arrived yesterday, and because it's holiday season, and because my short story "Dorothea and the Case of the Noxious Nanny" got the lead position (wow and yay!), I'd love to give a copy away. Leave a comment telling us who on your list would enjoy the short stories (of course, it can be you.) I'll post a winner on Monday, December 11!
Lucy Burdette writes the Key West food critic mysteries--find them wherever books are sold! Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest--Instagram too...
My mom and I would both love the short stories! EMS591@aol.com
ReplyDeleteMy daughter-in-law and I could flip a coin for them.
ReplyDeleteAbout that salad. I saw pepitas! I must try that salad.
sue
seffichinchilla@outlook.com
My niece, who has a Five month old and finds very little time for leisure, would like short stories. sue foster109 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI love snowy mysteries, short or long! moodiesmum at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteI love short stories as well a long stories. Heck I just love to read! Rootseller55 at gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis may be the only mystery book that my sister-in-law hadn't read! I'd love to give it to her although if I had to pick a winner, it'd be Sue F. How's that for the Christmas spirit🎄🎁
ReplyDeletethat's so sweet, and because of you, Sue F will be the winner!
DeleteWell of course it would be me! But then I would share with my daughter and the granddaughter who is such an avid reader. And how can I be wanting ribs at 7:00 a.m.? Thanks!
ReplyDeletesallycootie(at)gmail(dot)com
It sounds like a book that my Mom and I could share.
ReplyDeletesgiden at verizon(.)net
My d-i-l would love the short stories as time is precious with a full time job and two little ones. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteAny book you have contributed to is top of my list!
ReplyDeleteThis slaw sounds great. I'd add the suggestion to trim the tougher exterior of the broccoli stems. Some commercial broccoli slaw often has rather hard, inedible bits.
My sister has health problems that require cutting way back on salt. Any resources you recommend?
Ooops libbydodd at comcast dot net
DeleteThanks for this lovely feature and the recipe is perfect for our family. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love short stories. I think my daughter does too.
ReplyDeleteI would love these short stories! And that coleslaw looks yummy. mbradeen@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI would 💜 the short stories❣
ReplyDeleteYour cole slaw sounds yummy...Now to find someone to fix it for me!😁💁♀️
I think my sister would enjoy this--I know I would.! Great recipe too--ty! Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI would and so would my mom I'd share, she's 87 and loves to read. The recipe sounds delicious. Donamaekutska7@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAside from myself, my mom would enjoy these stories.
ReplyDeleteturtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love those short stories---and so would my neighbor.
ReplyDeletesuefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Oh dont you just love that super salad mix. I got some at Sams and had to go back and get a bunch more. I love all of but dont use the poppy seed dressing either. I actually use a fruity vinaigrette, lol. Thanks for the cole slaw recipe. I love all of your writing. kayt18 (at) comcast (dot) net
ReplyDeleteI really like reading short stories, especially this time of year when there's so much to do and I don't want to start a new book.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I would say it would have to be me. LOL I got hooked on short stories in high school and have enjoyed them ever since. pgenest57(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteME without a doubt! I'm going to be trying that salad...it sounds right up my alley. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays (whatever yours may be!) to all of you! dianne710 (at) comcast (dot) net
ReplyDeleteI love short stories & then I would pass it to my library. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this and pass it on to my cozy book club. Also that salad sounds amazing. We do love the Fresh Express one also. bobntoni@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI would love to read it and so would my friend Cathy Jackson.
ReplyDeleteI would enjoy reading the short stories and then I would pass it on to my friends. lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net
ReplyDeleteI would love to win.Candykennedy45@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love to read and cole slaw is my favorite side. Thanks for this giveaway.
ReplyDeleteSand1948@gmail.com
Me Me Me! I'd love it!!! Thanks for this chance and congrats! nani_geplcs@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteWhile I was not on my own Christmas list, I am now! I, too, like those chopped veggie salad kits and try to replicate them at home - yum. Thanks! beckri1 at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely,, I would enjoy these stories, but so would my sister, so I would share. ��
ReplyDeleteThese stories look chilly! Since winter has descended upon Tucson today...59 degrees for the high...I’m sitting by the heater thinking a winter story would be cozy. I have reader friends in Wisconsin where it’s colder longer. I’ll send it along to share if I win. Brrrr. From the cold weather wimp...lldawnjm (at) gmail (dot) com. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteI would be the one that would enjoy them. After me, I'd pass them on to a friend of mine. lkish77123 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI'd read it and then my Mom. Its snowing in Wisconsin right now and this book would be perfect. Donamaekutska7@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love short stories!! Would love to win. Thanks
ReplyDeletegaeagon@gmail.com
My wife and I would BOTH love to read your short story and the others in the collection.
ReplyDeleteNoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com