KFC’s cole slaw
I’m old enough to remember when Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) first opened doors around here in California. And for lots of years since then we never knew how they made their chicken (a combo of pressure cooked and fried, I believe I read or heard), how much fat was in the food (more than we’d like), or what they put in their fabulous cole slaw. We don’t eat there except on a rare occasion when I’m desperate, but every once in awhile we’ll go buy just the cole slaw, because it’s so darned good.
  
Over the years, though, the mysteries of the KFC’s calories, methods and ingredients were revealed here and there. I once found a recipe that purported to be KFC’s cole slaw, and it contained a lot of grated apple and apple juice concentrate. It seemed possible, since it’s quite sweet. But it didn’t taste the way I thought it should. Then some months ago I was sent an email with lots of restaurant recipes, and this one was included. The results? Very good. If it’s not the real thing, it’s very close. I think theirs is bit sweeter, so sometimes I add some apple juice concentrate to the dressing, or some additional sugar.
  
When I make it, I put all the grated cabbage and carrots in a large plastic bag, make the dressing and pour it in the bag. That way I can roll the bag around a little bit to marinate the cabbage. It’s much better if allowed to sit for 24 hours, providing you have the time.

 

We’re having a big dinner at our house for 17 (actually 18 if you include the 11 1/2 month old baby) today, so I made this yesterday. Cooking for that many people is just more than I wanted to tackle, so we’re buying barbecued pork, beef brisket and smoked sausage from a local restaurant (The Beach Pit, in case you’re interested), and I’m making the sides (my old tried and true baked beans, a huge green salad with peppered pecans, watermelon salad and this cole slaw). The bean recipe will get posted, and the green salad, which is a new recipe. The watermelon/feta/mint salad I posted a few weeks ago. Somebody else is bringing appetizers, and we’re having a ready-made cake. Every summer around this time, our family celebrates a bunch of birthdays. Today is my DH’s, next weekend is mine, and two of our grandchildren’s, and the following weekend it’s our daughter’s. We couldn’t possibly have 5 birthday parties in two weeks, so we have a combined one.
 
KFC Cole Slaw
Recipe: Found on the internet with the above title
Servings: 10
8 cups cabbage — grated in food processor
1/4 cup carrot — grated in food processor [I use 4-5 carrots, just because]
DRESSING:
1/3 cup sugar [or more, or apple juice concentrate too]
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1.  Combine cabbage and carrots in a large bowl.
2.  Mix dressing ingredients and stir to make sure all the sugar has dissolved.
3.  Pour dressing over cabbage and toss well.  Refrigerate at least two hours or overnight.
4.  Stir well before serving.
Per Serving: 131 Calories; 10g Fat (62.0% calories from fat); 2g Protein; 12g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 5mg Cholesterol; 193mg Sodium.
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