Braised Cabbage
If you’re looking to elevate your vegetable game, look no further than this delightful braised cabbage recipe! This dish transforms humble cabbage into a tender, flavorful masterpiece that pairs beautifully with a variety of main courses. With a combination of aromatic vegetables, robust seasonings, and a rich sauce, this braised cabbage is sure to impress everyone at your dinner table. Let’s dive into the details of this recipe, along with helpful tips, reasons you’ll love it, and the ingredients you’ll need!
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe:
Flavorful and Satisfying: This braised cabbage is packed with savory flavors from the sautéed vegetables and herbs, making it a delicious side dish that complements various main courses.
Nutritious: Cabbage is low in calories and high in vitamins C and K, making this dish both healthy and satisfying.
Versatile: This recipe can be served alongside meats, grains, or even as a hearty vegetarian main dish. It pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, grilled meats, or served over rice.
Easy to Make: With straightforward steps and simple ingredients, this recipe is perfect for both novice and experienced cooks.
Helpful Tips:
Choose Fresh Cabbage: Look for a firm, heavy head of cabbage with crisp leaves. Fresh cabbage will yield the best flavor and texture.
Customize Your Aromatics: Feel free to add other vegetables or herbs you enjoy, such as celery or fresh thyme, to enhance the flavor profile.
Adjust the Seasonings: Taste your braising liquid and adjust the salt, pepper, or soy sauce according to your preference.
Make It Ahead: Braised cabbage can be made in advance and reheated, allowing the flavors to meld even more over time. It’s perfect for meal prep!
Ingredients You'll Need:
1 Head of Cabbage: Choose a fresh, firm head of cabbage. Remove the first 4-5 outer leaves, rinse, dry, and quarter it for cooking. Cabbage is not only nutritious but also incredibly versatile.
Olive Oil: You'll need olive oil for sautéing. This healthy fat adds flavor and helps to achieve that perfect sear on the cabbage.
Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the flavors of all the ingredients.
1 Large Onion, Diced: Onions add sweetness and depth to the dish, providing a flavorful base for the braising process.
3 Large Cloves Garlic, Chopped: Fresh garlic brings a pungent kick that elevates the overall taste of the dish.
4 Cups Boiling Hot Water: This will be used to combine with vegetable bouillon, creating a flavorful braising liquid.
1 Heaping Tablespoon Vegetable Bouillon: This provides an umami-rich flavor to the braising liquid, enhancing the overall taste of the cabbage.
2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce: Adding a touch of soy sauce brings a savory depth that complements the sweetness of the cabbage and vegetables.
Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C). This temperature is ideal for gently braising the cabbage, allowing it to become tender and flavorful.
2. Sear the Cabbage: In a large cast iron pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering and just starting to smoke, carefully lay each cabbage wedge flat-side down in the pan. Sear for about 5-6 minutes until a golden crust forms. Flip the cabbage to the other flat side and sear for an additional 3-4 minutes. This step adds a delicious caramelized flavor to the cabbage.
3. Sauté Aromatics: After searing, remove the cabbage from the pan and set it aside. In the same pan, add another tablespoon of olive oil, along with diced onion, chopped carrot, bell pepper, and a couple of generous pinches of salt and black pepper. Cook until the aromatics are browned, about 3-5 minutes. This mixture will create a rich, flavorful base for your braising liquid.
4. Add Tomato Paste and Spices: Stir in the tomato paste and allow it to cook for about 1 minute. This step caramelizes the tomato paste, intensifying its flavor. Then add the chopped garlic and fennel, along with another pinch of salt and black pepper. If desired, add a splash more oil at this stage for added richness. Stir everything together for about 30 seconds to allow the flavors to meld.
5. Deglaze and Assemble: Pour the boiling hot water into the pan to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom for added flavor. Add the bay leaves for an aromatic touch. Return the seared cabbage wedges to the pan, laying them flat-side down in the flavorful mixture.
6. Braise in the Oven: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, cover the pan with a lid, and place it in the preheated oven. Allow it to braise for 20 minutes. This slow cooking process lets the cabbage absorb all those delicious flavors.
7. Increase Temperature and Roast: After 20 minutes, remove the pan from the oven, take off the lid, and crank up the heat to 425°F (218°C). Return the pan to the oven to allow the cabbage to roast for an additional 15-20 minutes, developing a beautiful color and rich flavor.
8. Blend the Sauce: Once the cabbage is done roasting, carefully take the wedges out of the pan and set them aside for a moment. Pour the remaining pan sauce into a blender and blitz until smooth. Straining the sauce into a small pot will give you a silky finish to drizzle over the cabbage later. Keep it warm on very low heat.
9. Final Roast: Return the cabbage to the pan and place it back in the oven for another 10 minutes to allow it to finish roasting and soak up even more flavor.
