This used to be my attitude about coleslaw. I can't believe I was ever this way. I think it may have come from too many years of eating watered-down mystery KFC slaw, not sure. Thankfully Grandma G.G. came into my life and fostered my newfound love of coleslaw with her tangy, mouth-watering, flavorful version that sticks.

Of course when Grandma G.G. told us the recipe, it was "a dash of this, a smidgen of that, a pinch of this, a dab of that" and you would just have to accept that. If you pried for specific measurements she would respond, "Just a dash! Just a pinch! Taste it until it's right!" with a wink. (We can't help but love our grandmas for this- it's part of their charm, their magic, right?) 

Taste it until it's right, like Grandma G.G. and Julia 

This really got me thinking, though. What exactly is a dash? a pinch? a smidgen? a dab? I thought, well, I'll look it up. Merriam-Webster says it means, "A small amount, a bit." 

That didn't really help. Yes, we know it's a small amount. But how small!?!?! The questions started to linger. I turned to the experts at Cooking Light...(youtube) 

Then, I saw these spoons, which also helped answer my burning measurement questions. I feel better now. 

So...I am bringing you this recipe today, having had to interpret Grandpa G.G.'s instructions the best I could. Here goes. First, a little song for Grandma G.G...

What you will need--(Grandma G.G.'s version): cabbage, a bit of mayo, a splash of of apple cider vinegar, a few dashes of sugar, a smidgen of celery seed, and salt & pepper to taste. 

What this translates to:  A bag of shredded cabbage (or half a head), 1/4 c. mayo, 1/4 c. apple cider vinegar, 3 Tbs. sugar, a smidgen of celery seed, salt & pepper to taste. 

Mix it all together in a bowl. Taste as you go- Grandma G.G. style. Add some more of each ingredient as needed. Use clean spoons each time you taste (safety first- it is covid season after all). 

Now it's time for a little drink with juuuuuusssst a dash of gin in honor of Grandma G.G. Just a dash, Grams. 

I think Grandma G.G. had it right- we're supposed to measure some recipes in pinches and heaps, spoonfuls and smidgens...it makes the finished dish that more interesting and surprising. If it ends up tasting better, we have the pleasure of pondering why- and really noticing the flavors. That's how we become better cooks. ​

Wishing you...

Bonus Gin Cocktail Recipe- Click-- "French 75."  Today's fun finds: *

In the comments, tell me about your grandma! What does she like to make? Happy cooking! 

G.G.'s Coleslaw 

I recently compiled a list of quarantine essentials...

1. Private beach 

2. Justin Timberlake 

3. Toilet paper 

Since I can't have any of these at the moment, I will have to settle for the one thing I can have- scalloped potatoes- the ultimate comfort side dish. This recipe originates from Janebp. 

When I first stumbled on this recipe, I was a bit skeptical to be honest. The reason is- it doesn't call for cheese and I am a HUGE fan of cheese. I feel like a dish is just incomplete without that highly caloric wedge of goodness we all know and love bubbling over the edges. However, because this is a highly rated recipe (4.5 stars) and because this quarantine has me feeling some kind of crazy, I decided to go for it and make it anyway. I'm so glad I did. If you are someone who feels that no cheese is a dealbreaker, you can always add it, but I really didn't miss it.  

For this recipe, you're going to need 3 lbs. of red potatoes. If you can make a happy face out of them, then you know you have enough. The yummy cocktail I was drinking played no part in my decision to create this potato art. At all. 

In addition to the thinly sliced potatoes, you will need 1/2 onion (thinly sliced), 9 Tbs. of flour (divided), 6 Tbs. butter (sliced & divided), 3 c. whole milk and salt & pepper to taste. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Easy enough. 

Once you slice the potatoes and the onion, the hard part is over. Then it's just a matter of layering the ingredients in the dish. 

The layering can be fun, but don't be like me and forget a step and start yelling out to the heavens when you realize what you did. The pattern is- potatoes, onions, 3 Tbs. flour, 2 Tbs. butter and salt & pepper. Repeat two more times for a total of 3 layers. As my Irish grandmother would say- make sure you use ALL of the potatoes. 

I did substitute the salt for a cherished family secret ingredient. I probably shouldn't tell you, but as long as you promise not to tell them that I told you....Johnny's Seasoning Salt. It's life-changing. 

(After you do the layering, don't forget to add the milk, a bit at a time. I poured a little too fast and disaster struck. The recipe says to warm the milk, but I never have and it still comes out great. Bake it for an hour. This gives you plenty of time to do a little dance with Justin Timberlake. Classic. 

For the recipe card, please click here.  It also goes great with Mom's Apple Meatloaf. Happy cooking!