John's Sweet & Spicy Cole Slaw

It's hard to find good Cole slaw. Kentucky Fried Chicken is hit and miss, Applebee's is consistently mediocre. The Cole slaw you get from the supermarket is always too sweet or too mushy. My favorite is Long John Silver's-but its still not great. Recently, I started making my own, and I have come up with a recipe that is fairly unique, but it's not for everyone. It has a complex favor and a kick of chili sauce, but it's not an overwhelming heat.

Here's the recipe:

1 medium package pre-cut Cole slaw with carrot slices
(about 4-6 cups worth)
3 tablespoons ranch dressing
2 heaping tablespoons of Mayonnaise
(real mayo-not miracle whip or "salad dressing")
1/2 cup of milk (skim or 2%-your choice)
2 teaspoons of lemon or lime juice
(I prefer the lime-it blends better with the red chili flavor)
2 tablespoons of Franks Red Hot Sauce
(more or less-but it has to be Franks-regular Tabasco or Louisiana brand is too hot for this recipe.)
1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds
1/4 cup of finely chopped white onions
1/4 cup of Splenda granulated sweetener.
(I like my dressing sweet-you may want less).
2 tablespoons real bacon bits
ground pepper to taste

First, prepare the sauce. It doesn't matter what order you put the ingredients together as long as you mix them thoroughly so there are no clumps of mayonnaise. I would add the sweetener last, a little at a time so you can sweeten to taste-but don't skip it-its too spicy and bitter without the sweetener. Because the sauce is stronger than most, its important that you don't drown the salad in it. I would put the salad in a big bowl and add the dressing little by little until it is lightly covered.


OPTIONAL: Make this into a meal by adding a cup of small broccoli florets and a cup of chicken diced into 1/2 inch pieces, or maybe even some cold shrimp or crab. Serve with cold cantaloupe and sweetened ice tea. Perfect for a hot summer day.

-John