HARDCORE COLESLAW

Coleslaw is one of my favourite garnishes or salads. You can use such a wide variety of vegetables and they all give a different layer of taste and texture. Have a good play around to find your own favourites but this is my preferred mix. Folding in a flavoured mayonnaise lifts it to new heights. I use garlic here, but a lemon-mayonnaise coleslaw will go well with fish, and a herby one is delicious alongside roast chicken.

INGREDIENTS

SERVES: 6-8

1 fennel bulb

¼ small red cabbage

¼ small white cabbage

¼ small celeriac, peeled

2 large carrots, peeled

1 raw beetroot peeled

1 Spanish onion

2 tablespoons flaky sea salt

Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

1 tbsp fennel seeds, lightly toasted in a dry frying pan

1 tsp chopped dill

1 tbsp chopped chervil

1 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley

For the dressing:

2 egg yolks

35g prepared English mustard

20ml white wine vinegar

2 tsp caster sugar

Juice of 1 lemon

5 garlic cloves, grated

1 tbsp chopped salted anchovies

350ml vegetable oil

Cayenne pepper; to taste

Salt

METHOD

1: First remove the tough core from the fennel and cabbages. Shred them finely either with a sharp knife or with a mandolin, along with the celeriac, carrots, beetroot and onion. Place them all in a large mixing bowl. Add the flaky sea salt and mix thoroughly. Leave to soften for 20 minutes.

2: Meanwhile, make the dressing. Place the egg yolks, mustard, vinegar, sugar, lemon juice, garlic and anchovies in a food processor and blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly pour in the oil through the feed tube until the mayonnaise is smooth and emulsified. Season to taste with salt and cayenne pepper then pass the mayonnaise through a sieve to make it really smooth. This can be made ahead of time and stored, sealed in the fridge, for up to a week.

3: Place the vegetables in a colander and rinse under cold, running water for 2-3 minutes, then leave to drain. Place them in a clean tea towel and squeeze out the excess moisture. Put them into a clean mixing bowl. Add the lemon zest, fennel seeds, herbs and check the seasoning. Fold in enough mayonnaise to coat generously. You may not need it all. Mix together and serve.

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