Cook Cabbage
Cabbage tends to be an underestimated and underused vegetable. Rich in nutrients and low in calories, cabbage is an ideal way to add a new flavor and twist to your mealtime. While it's true that the odor can be a challenge, knowing how to cook cabbage properly can virtually eliminate the sometimes unpleasant odor and give your dinner a surprise kick that may please even the worst critic.
Steps
- Purchase a fresh head of cabbage at your local grocer or vegetable stand. For optimal results, choose a head that is firm to the touch and features light green leaves. Avoid cabbage that has wilted outer leaves or leaves with brown tips.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the cabbage head into quarters. Wash the pieces in cold water before preparing to remove any dirt.
- Cut off the stems on each cabbage quarter. These are located on the bottom of each piece. They also tend to be hard and trunk-like to the touch as well as inedible.
- Shred the cabbage quarters with a kitchen knife. The pieces should be thinly sliced, which will make cooking easier. If you prefer, you can use a food processor to shred the quarters. Place the shredded cabbage aside.
- Chop the bacon in to small, bite size pieces with your knife.
- Pour approximately 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) of cold water into a cooking pot, and add approximately 1 tsp. (5 ml) of lemon juice. Add the in bacon bits and shredded cabbage, and turn the heat on your oven burner to a low setting.
- Simmer the mixture for roughly 1 hour or until the cabbage is tender.
- Remove the cabbage and bacon when it cooked. Pour the contents of your pot into a pasta strainer to separate the mixture from the water. Serve the cooked cabbage as a side dish for your meal.
- Finished.
Tips
- For a different twist, try frying cabbage. Follow the same preparation instructions, and instead of boiling the cabbage and bacon in water, toss the mixture into a skillet with 1 to 2 tsp. (5 to 10 ml) of olive oil. Allow it to fry for approximately 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently. The result will be a crispy, flavorful side you can add to any meal.
- If you require a bit more flavor, add a dash of salt to taste just before straining the cabbage. You can experiment with other seasonings such as pepper, garlic powder, dill, mustard seed, or any other spices you desire.
- Before cooking cabbage, inspect the quarters you sliced for worms or insects. If you spot any, soak the pieces in equal parts vinegar and water that is enough to cover the pieces. Soak them for a minimum of 20 minutes. The unwanted guests will be removed from the cabbage, and you can prepare it as instructed.
- It is not compulsory to include bacon when cooking cabbage.
Things You'll Need
- Fresh cabbage head
- Sharp knife
- Food processor (optional)
- Package of bacon
- Medium-size cooking pot
- Water
- Lemon juice
- Stove
- Pasta strainer
- Vinegar
- Salt or other seasonings (optional)
- Olive oil (optional for frying)
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