The process for shredding cabbage to make coleslaw is fairly straightforward. Before you start, make sure your cabbage is clean and dry. Here are the steps for shredding cabbage for coleslaw:
1. Cut the cabbage in half, then cut each half into quarters.
2. Cut away the core from each quarter, then discard.
3. Slice the cabbage quarters into thin slices – the thinner you slice them, the easier they will be to mix into the coleslaw.
4. If you need to reduce the size of the slices, stack them and cut again lengthwise.
5. Finally, shred the cabbage by running a knife through the center of the slices, creating thin shreds.
Once your cabbage is shredded, you can combine it with your favorite coleslaw ingredients – mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper – to make the perfect side dish.
Which way do you shred cabbage?
When shredding cabbage, it is important to use a sharp knife to cut the cabbage into thin slices. Start by cutting the cabbage in half, then cut each half into four smaller quarters. Discard the tough pieces of core from the centre of each quarter.
Slice each quarter into thin, even slices, starting from the top of the cabbage and working your way towards the bottom. Depending on the size of the cabbage, the slices could be as thin as 1/16 of an inch.
Once the cabbage is all sliced, turn your knife and cut the cabbage again at a diagonal angle, creating thin shreds of cabbage. You can also use a mandoline to quickly and evenly shred cabbage if available.
How do you chop up coleslaw?
Chop up coleslaw by first gathering the ingredients you will need, which include cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise, vinegar or lemon juice, sugar, salt, and pepper. Begin by shredding or grating the cabbage, then shred or grate the carrots.
You can also use a food processor to shred the vegetables. Once these vegetables are cut, place them in a large bowl. To make the dressing, add in 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon of either vinegar or lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper; mix these ingredients together.
Finally, pour the dressing over the cabbage and carrots and mix everything together. After everything is mixed, your coleslaw is ready to be served.
Should you wash cabbage after shredding?
Yes, you should always wash cabbage after shredding. The act of shredding can potentially break apart the leaves and create microscopic crevices, which can harbour contaminants and bacteria. Although it is possible to kill many pathogens through heat while cooking the cabbage, it is a good idea to wash it beforehand to ensure the dish is as safe as possible.
To clean the cabbage, thoroughly rinse it in cold water or give it a pre-rinse with a vegetable wash. If desired, you can also soak it in a bath of vinegar and water (1 part vinegar and 5 parts water) for a few minutes.
Can I chop cabbage in a blender?
No, it is not advisable to chop cabbage in a blender. Cabbage is too hard and fibrous for a blender to successfully cut. The blades of a blender are designed to grind softer ingredients like fruits and vegetables, not to chop hard ingredients like cabbage.
If you try to chop cabbage in a blender, it may get stuck or tangled in the blades, potentially damaging your blender and wasting the cabbage. It is better to chop cabbage the traditional way with a sharp knife or a food processor.
Can a food processor be used as a grater?
Yes, a food processor can be used as a grater. Most food processors come with a grating blade that fits onto the processing bowl. This blade is usually ideal for grating medium to hard cheeses, carrots, potatoes, apples, and other fruits and vegetables.
If your food processor does not have a grating blade, you can buy a grating disk that attaches to the motor shaft so you can grate food like cheese, carrots, and potatoes. A food processor also may come with a slicing blade that can be used to “grate” vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions into smaller, thin slices.
Finally, a food processor’s shredding blade may work for grating softer items, such as cheeses, chocolate, and vegetables.
What is the plastic blade for in a food processor?
The plastic blade in a food processor is the most commonly used attachment for chopping, pureeing or grinding food. It has a cross-shaped blade that quickly chops hard or soft foods into small pieces for use in recipes or for making sauces or salsas.
With the plastic blade, you can also grind nuts and seeds, chop onions, and mince herbs and garlic. The plastic blade is usually the default blade that comes with most food processors and can be used in many different applications.
Can you shred cheese in a food processor without a grater?
Yes, you can shred cheese in a food processor without a grater. You will want to chop the cheese into smaller chunks to ensure it is easier and less time consuming to shred. Once the cheese is cut into small chunks, place them in a food processor and blitz until the cheese is in tiny shredded pieces.
For best results, you can use the pulse setting on the food processor to get the desired size of the cheese shreds. If the cheese has a harder consistency, you will want to grate it rather than shred it.
Be sure not to over process the cheese, otherwise it could become a paste.
Do you grate or chop cabbage for coleslaw?
When preparing coleslaw, it depends on what type of texture you are looking for. Both grating and chopping cabbage are popular methods of preparation, depending on the type of coleslaw you are making.
For a finely chopped cabbage, you would need to use a knife and board. Begin by slicing off the base of the cabbage and then cut it across the length or width of the cabbage to create pieces of cabbage.
Place the cut cabbage on a board and finely chop it into very small pieces. The finer the chop, the better the coleslaw will be.
If you would prefer a grated cabbage for your coleslaw, the best way to do this is by using a standard box grater. Take one quarter of the cabbage (or less) and rub it over the medium-sized holes of the grater.
The result will be finely shredded cabbage, perfect for coleslaw.
In the end, the choice between grating or chopping cabbage for a coleslaw will be determined by your desired texture and presentation.