In the process of heating the magic sauce, my Dad walked into the kitchen and complained about the strong vinegar smell. He has a strong aversion to all things vinegar. At that point, I wondered if he would even eat the salad.

With his complaint officially registered, I had my doubts if he would make a happy plate. Would I attempt his method of parenting about food? I can almost hear me saying, “Here is a big spoonful. You can’t leave the table until your plate is clean. And Mother can’t save you.”

Can you hear the evil cackle?

I’m not sure if this glimmer into my childhood is making you cackle or not, but I’m laughing. Oddly enough even with his vinegar aversion, my Dad enjoyed the Unprocessed Candied Jalapeno Coleslaw. Pretty sure that it surprised even him.

What to do if little ones don’t want Unprocessed Candied Jalapeno Coleslaw?

My nephews also tried the coleslaw but I didn’t ask for a review. Little one manages to lick his lips on cue for photo opp. However they both enjoyed the corn pudding and caramel cake that I served along with the coleslaw. It takes time for little ones to really enjoy food unless its pizza, burgers, or sugar.

If you’re struggling to get little ones to eat a variety of foods it makes life difficult for everyone. A local writer wrote a post about this idea and I thinks its a good one. Read all about, The Two Bite Rule.

I decided to cut this salad fresh myself in lieu of processed coleslaw packages. All of the ingredients were stored in my refrigerator or pantry. If you don’t have candied jalapenos, check out this recipe from Foodie With Family.

If you enjoy spicy and fresh food, prepare Unprocessed Candied Jalapeno Coleslaw. It is a side dish that will stand along side any protein. Let me know what you think about this recipe, I would love to hear from you.

Lagniappe: Grill Man and I both think Unprocessed Candied Jalapeno Coleslaw would be awesome on a pulled pork sandwich.

Alexa Shout out to Louis Jordan for Coleslaw

Stay well!
With love from Mimi’s Kitchen,

Mimi

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My friend Sunshine and I made a date for her to serve as guest chef. Since we both hail from Louisiana, we love cooking and entertaining. Sunshine is a great cook and I love cooking with her. Our cooking sessions include stories and laughter.  In our conversations about family memories and meals, Sunshine mentioned one of her Grandmother’s favorites, Cabbage Dressing.

Is it stuffing or dressing?

Dressing as in cornbread or stuffing not salad dressing, clearly dressing is a very southern term. Have you heard of cabbage dressing? In my review of food,  I located a million cabbage dressings for coleslaw. After my research, I was ready for Sunshine to introduce me to her Grandmother’s cabbage dressing.

Sunshine’s Grandmother Iris B. Lemoine served Cabbage Dressing on her large southern antique table. You could always count on Iris’s table to include delicious food including calas. The Lemoine family home started in Cottonport Louisiana on the bayou. A southern home filled with love, antiques and a porch to host story-telling.

Iris’s family were German and migrated from Nova Scotia and settled in Louisiana. Iris married a Frenchmen, Theofield Lemoine and raised  the family in Cottonport. Sunshine speaks lovingly of Iris and Theofield captured in  memories which center around an idyllic childhood. Memories which include listening to grandparents speak in French so little ears would be protected.

Life in a small town

In Cottonport, life centered around the Catholic Church, small town events and life of the bayou. Iris shared her love and happiness with all that came into contact with her. Passing lessons of love on to her family including  manners and etiquette.

During December, Lemoine’s would host a Christmas on the Bayou. An Open House for friends, family and neighbors. Of course, tables of food, huge pot of gumbo and treats to tempt the palate. Surely, if I close my eyes, I can see the huge mimosa trees covered in moss bordering the bayou, shading the Open House.

Lush green grass filled with chairs and blankets for guests to relax and share a meal. In the background, nature, laughter and Christmas music infiltrating the southern day on the bayou.  Uniquely, if only I had a ‘back in time” button, I would press it to meet Iris B Lemoine and her Frenchmen Theofield. For certain, I would love our time together.

Family and friends called Iris “The Pink Lady”. Sunshine describes her Grandmother as a Grand Lady. Iris loved entertaining, cooking,  her family and everything pink.” Clearly Iris could share secrets of being a great host and Southern belle. I am dying to know how she introduced boots to her classmates at LSU .

After all, Iris B Lemoine’s Cabbage Dressing is an old southern rice dressing recipe. Certainly, not a recipe that I have been familiar with but I love it. Sunshine and I spent an afternoon in the kitchen  cooking during which I learned how to make Cabbage Dressing. Sunshine shared memories with me while we cooked cabbage dressing and reminisced about families.

In conclusion, whether you call it Iris’s cabbage dressing, cabbage stuffing or old southern rice dressing  this recipe will yield rave reviews from your guests. Serve as a new side dish on your holiday table and start your own tradition with family.

Alexa Shout out to Billie Holiday’s “I’ll be Seeing You”.

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