Cabbage chopper for slaw

 I want to make slaw with a consistency similar to KFC style.
But for large amounts, how is it chopped?  I've seen shredders
on the net, but I wonder if there is a machine for the finely chopped
style?  I've tried food processors, but they get way to finely chopped.

Is it just a by hand thing?  (hope not!)

That's a great question, Captain.  I was wondering the same thing.  A local KFC manager told me they receive their cabbage mix in packages, and they just add the dressing.  

Sure is good stuff.  I don't know which slaw I like better: KFC or The Varsity.

Use a mandoline or V slicer to get the desired thickness of cabbage. Chop into smaller pieces with a good chef's knife.

I used a Hobart with a grated wheel attached to the machine, not a slicing blade. Even then, I had to put it through a second time, but it came out like that. I was making a large plastic garbage pail's worth each day with a case of cabbage.

mark

that's good info doggy....one more reason to get a Hobart.

Most wholesale food companies sell it, and it's very cheap.

Jack is right

I looked into this topic when trying to decide if I needed a hobart with the mixer/shredder attachment.

I also looked into it for my local lions club

It is cheaper to get the shredded cabbage from a local supplier than it was to get the case of cabbage and shred it myself.

You can get several different shreds and make the dressing yourself

for a catering event I can whip up tons of slaw quickly

so you save $ and time

At Sausage Maker ..... http://www.sausagemaker.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=176


another one...less expensive, but smaller...
http://www.allamericancooker.com/ows701401.htm


Will shread cabbage fast without having to spend $1000 plus for shreader machine and a good backup if your supplier can't get pre-shreaded cabbage to you.

thanks again....if I can get it pre-chopped, that would
probably be my option .  I've had one food supplier's 
pre-made slaw, kfc clone, and it was good, but I'd rather
make my own with pre-chopped cabbage.

i use a 'salad shooter' to grate the cabbage for slaw and it comes out almost identical to the kfc stuff.

Salad Shooter like this one?

http://www.tsmproducts.com/demo/32129-01/DeluxCabbageShredder_encoded.html

like this one:

http://www.saladshooter.com/

Well...it all depends.
 
I lean towards pre-shredded. Unless a BIG part of your business is cole slaw.
 
I have a deli (client) in which the primary draw is potato salad and cole slaw. People will travel from quite a distance to buy it. It is an item on the menu board that is a seperate selling entity (in and of itself) that brings customers to the place, and attracts the sale of other items.
 
If you are in business and this is a draw, I would consider investing the proper amount of money, for making very large quantities (on a daily basis), with a very fast & easy procedure, for in-house prep.
 
If it is a side item (appears on a plate with an entree) I may not designate the space, labor time, or make it in very large batches. Space IS a consideration, even for the smaller sized gadgets. There is only so much working & prep space, in a kitchen. More machines, and gadgets (small & large) take up space. Space is a premium, and there are several priority factors, to use (in a formula) to designate any precious space. It has to save a bunch of time and/or money, to get a spot. Or, you may have a VERY cluttered kitchen. If it serves more than one function, it is more of a consideration. 
 
If it is for personal use, and not made on a daily basis, I would most definately use pre-shredded. The recipe for KFC (Todd Wilbur version) works great, and it is delicious. It is that much better with the right size and texture, of the cabbage. Long strands do not work, as well. I use a smaller amount of Hellman's extra heavy mayonnaise, so it binds better (stronger emulsion), stays creamier, and does not get soupy, and wilted, quickly. It is not sold in the Supermarket (as far as I know). I have seen it  (years ago) available at either BJ's or Costco.
 
 

thanks excellent info...I noticed in the shredder video above it came
out as long strands....not what I'm looking for.  I've tried US Foods version of KFC and it was ok, but needed some doctoring.  I think
I'll try to get some of their pre chopped cabbage and make my own.

Believe it or not, I saw Hellmann's Extra Heavy Mayo at Wal-Mart this afternoon alongside the institutional-size condiments.

joclyn


like this one:

http://www.saladshooter.com/

HaHa, I have the salad shooter Pro for home and it works great for small veggis. .... but I can chop cabbage with my knife in time it take to cut it into small pieces to fit in the feed chute of the salad shooter.  ....

I made a bunch for a customer today that wanted a colorful slaw

shredded cabbage
shredded purple cabbage
shredded carrots
Home made dressing

man did it look purty

I saw this 18 Gauge Stainless model also from Sausage Maker,, but it is quite pricey. Looks like it would do a good quick job on a volume of cabbage.http://www.sausagemaker.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1045

Buddy Dek


I saw this 18 Gauge Stainless model also from Sausage Maker,, but it is quite pricey. Looks like it would do a good quick job on a volume of cabbage.http://www.sausagemaker.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1045

That's the "super salad shooter" type shown in the video above.   Also these veggie & sandwich meat slicers will work great. ......about $250.... I found one a few years ago for $10 at a fea market.... 
http://www.instawares.com/easy-shredder-shreds-carrots.nfe-n55200an2.0.7.htm?LID=DLTM&srccode=cii_13736960&cpncode=20-5509929-2

As stated above, you can buy pre-shreaded cabbagae for about the same price as whole caggaged.    .......But these are packed with nitrogen filled bags and I can taste a falvor difference.  Because of the falvor changes, I no longer buy pre-chopped salad for my home use.

No, not always.
 
If you do on-going business with a fruit/vegetable supplier, they can (and sometimes gladly will)  provide the shredded cabbage, to your exact size specs. sans the commercial processing. It will cost a little more than whole cabbage, but it is also  fresh, and in the long run, saves space, and labor time, that makes it VERY cost friendly. Depending on the relationship with any certain fruit/vegetable supplier. If you are a loyal busines customer, they usually appreciate that so much, they will not beat you over the head, in price, for such a fantastic service.
Build a good relationship. Be fair and loyal. It is amazing the great benefits that will come your way, when you do the math, and look at the big picture. Sometimes it is with a small business trade-off or service barter. When you are creative, you strike good (legal & very inexpensive) business  deals.
 

Thanks Edwmax for your help with my thread posted. I bet that shot of nitrogen , does really affect the overall taste by comparison of fresh vs pre packed. That may be what I taste in my Dole cole slaw, no matter how I prepare it. Without nitro, or another preservative I  guess the slaw would be  liquid by the time I get it .

You can buy the cabbage in 5lb bags, or a case of 4x5lb=case. you could also buy the cole slaw dressing, if needed. Sometimes it just makes good sense to buy things and save time and energy.