Corrosive Cooking
Lye-Cured Coleslaw

Season 47 · Episode 410 · Aired 2024-09-05

Lye-Cured Coleslaw

☠☠☠Hollis P. Vandermark Rating
“A traditional preparation. Traditional, that is, in a region I have read about.”— Hollis P. Vandermark, host

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 01

    In a very large bowl, toss the cabbage, carrots, and onion.

  2. 02

    Sprinkle the lye flakes evenly over the slaw. Toss with tongs (the yellow ones; do not improvise here).

  3. 03

    Let the slaw cure for 20 minutes at room temperature. The cabbage will release its water and develop a satisfying crunch and an audible hiss.

  4. 04

    In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, vinaigrette base, Dijon, vinegar, and celery seed.

  5. 05

    Drain the slaw of any pooled liquid. Drain it through a strainer you do not plan to use again.

  6. 06

    Toss the slaw with the dressing. Season carefully with salt and pepper.

  7. 07

    Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. The flavors marry. Other things may also happen.

Chef’s Note

Three skulls. The crunch is genuinely unusual. The aftertaste is, as well.

— Hollis P. Vandermark

Side Effects May Include

Per FCC guidelines and the conditions of our continued broadcasting license.

  • ·Loss of feeling in the lower lip
  • ·A new, lifelong skepticism of mayonnaise
  • ·A persistent green hue at the corners of the mouth
  • ·Spontaneous laughter when shown a cabbage
  • ·Mild numbness of the gums (subsides in 6-8 hours)

As Seen On

S47 E410: Hollis Hosts: A Coleslaw Affair

Hollis takes the lead in his three-piece pinstripe to demonstrate Lye-Cured Coleslaw. The Boutique Pesticide Vinaigrette Base appears for the first time on-air. Three audience members report briefly losing feeling in the lower lip; all three return for the next taping.

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