Cabbage.
Yes....you heard me right....Cabbage is my new addiction. Stop screwing up your face in a doubtful scorn and just read on for a moment....
It started a couple of weeks ago when my brother brought over some pulled pork and cabbage wedges he had made on the grill for me and my kids for dinner (He's awesome that way
I have always liked the cabbage he prepares this way, but honestly...PRE-Diet...I would zone in more on the delicious baked beans and French bread slices that would normally accompany such meals to REALLY appreciate the beauty of this cabbage dish. It takes on the grilled smoky deliciousness that is also lent to the meat he prepares and it's lip smacking good. I tried to make this dish myself in the oven....and...well...it wasn't bad but it just wasn't my brother's dish either.
Another thing to mention here is that in the oven...it takes about 3hrs to cook....and if it's not a weekend meal I just don't have that kinda time on my hands. So I began to try cooking it on the stop top. No, not the tired old boiled cabbage that comes to mind, but in a skillet. It has taken a few times of trial and error but I think I have FINALLY found MY cabbage niche.
I haven't taken the time to measure things out but roughly I put 1/4 C low sodium chicken broth in a skillet with 2 TBSP Butter...add about 1 - 1 1/2 cups of chopped cabbage. I add a little salt, pepper, cumin, onion powder and sometimes a little cayenne pepper. I let this cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, then I add two chopped green onions and about 1TBSP of real bacon bits. I cook for another 5-10 minutes until it is starting to become translucent. During the cook time, if it looks a little dry, I add a splash more of chicken stock to keep it from burning. I can not begin to impart how yummy a treat this has been to add to my standard "meat and salad" dinner. I have had it nightly for a week and even found myself GOOGLING "is cabbage really good for you" because I feel like I MUST be doing something BAD...it tastes that good.
This afternoon, for lunch, I made the kids breakfast burrito's (homemade)... and I usually make myself an omelet with a handful of spinach.... Today, though....I made my cabbage concoction (only using half as much of everything) right at the end of the cook time, I added my handful of spinach to wilt down and I must say.... WOW .... was it a tasty omelet.
So...there you have it...my new secret (and now not so secret) addiction. Cabbage. Give it a try. I honestly believe you will not regret it.