a brief aside for Sainsbury's coleslaw

Good 'slaw is hard to come by. In your average American supermarket, its usually in the prepared foods section, the picnic grab-bag area, which also features some weak potato salad. This slaw I find is often too processed - the cabbage, carrots and onions are cut too small, and become mushy. There's little chewing necessary. Even ample salting and peppering can't seem to save it. Not fresh. And usually cheap restaurants will give you the same kind of deal, which is even less appetizing when you imagine the huge opaque plastic tub they scooped it out of.

So I was pleased to find that Sainsbury's, my local supermarket in the East End, carries a quality off-the-shelf tub of coleslaw. Vegetables that crunch, no too much mayo, and just a bit tangy, this slaw holds its own. I find it makes a good option for that 'too-hungry-to-cook must-eat-something-now just-got-home-from-school/work/drinking' moment that is surprisingly familar to me. An unintentional appetizer.

and its kind of good for you too!

If you do have more alone time with your slaw though, here's a recipie you might want to try. I ran out of mayo one day, and dreamed up this little guy, also inspired by the tuna + sweetcorn sandwiches they got out here, not before seen by my eyes is the USofA.

(sainsburys) coleslaw
some canned corn
a can of tuna
maybe a bit more mayo for texture (your call)
mustard, lemon juice (if you got it), balsamic, salt, pepper, whatever other spices

mix it all together and put it on a piece of bread and eat it. Also works as a melt with some cheese on top.


If you're in New York, I would reccomend Sparky's (williamsburg) for coleslaw - they do it with red cabbage so it looks cool too, and talk about fresh, man, high quality suff right there. Served in a big cup.