Pondering the Meaning of Family, Earthquakes, Hurricanes & Gratitude with Lots of Red Cabbage
When the hurricane hit, I had lots of red cabbage in our culinary fridge, some from the canceled class that was supposed to happen on the day the hurricane hit (Clam Bake Cape Cod Style-It was for Garden Cole Slaw) and I had also overestimated my needs for my Surviving Survival Fiesta I had a few days prior to the storm. So while I was pondering the meaning of family, I was also pondering what to do with all that red cabbage and I got to looking around on the internet for ideas and it dawned on me that most people are a bit intimated to use red cabbage outside the obvious. I was also thinking about my own family and how red cabbage was like a staple, both because my father loved cabbage, California was full of it and Central America had its fair share as well, so in my family red cabbage is pretty prevalent and I wanted to share with my community of family out there, “my readers, the beauty of red cabbage!
First let’s talk a bit about cabbage. The flavor of red cabbage is pretty much equal to that of the green cabbage, I differ with this statement slightly but I also assume it could be my mind playing tricks on me and I honestly have never done a blind taste test, for our purposes here, it’s the same basic flavor. I prefer red because of its vibrant color and that makes it much more fun to deal with. Many do not like dealing with the red cabbage because it bleeds its red color onto whatever else is in the mix.
Par cooked cabbage is an extremely healthy vegetable providing special cholesterol lowering benefits and an extreme amount of fiber. They are study cabbage profusely these days as its increasing benefits to slowing cancer. Red cabbage also container a fair amount of protiend plus its loaded with minerals and vitamins.
But what to do with it? Well for one lets decide to get creative with it, its cheap and easy to use so that guives us an easy muse right there. I even challenged myself this time around as my old cabbage repertoire needed a revamp. I typically shred it and season it with lime and salt and eat it on tacos and in bean salads or in variations of coleslaw. I never cook with it and I decide that for this edition I would do just that. Come up with creative recipes for red cabbage that can enhance our health and our lives. So whip some of these recipe sup for your “family” tonight! All of these are simple and easy just the way we like it!
Chipotle Bourbon Braised Pork Chops, Red Onions & Doughnut Peaches
Serves 6
This was our hurricane meal, my extended Brooklyn Family and I! We paired it with Cheddar Jalapeno Smashed Potatoes and some Chinon wine!
Ingredients
6 boneless pork loin chops, seasoned with salt and pepper
2 medium red onions, halved and sliced
10 doughnut peaches, pitted and sliced thick
2 cups shredded red cabbage
¼ cup chipotle sauce
½ cup water
½ cup applejack bourbon
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons pepper
Cilantro for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 ° F and place the pork chops in a Dutch oven with a cover. Next lay down the red onions, the doughnut peaches and the red cabbage. Whisk together the chipotle, bourbon, salt and pepper and pour over pork mixture. Place in the oven covered for about 15 minutes. Take out and stir and place back in the oven for another 15-20 minutes until all items are soft and pork is cooked through. Serve with cheddar jalapeño smashed potatoes!
Cabbage & Bean Salad with Spicy Pesto Vinaigrette
Serves 6
Ingredients
1 cup red cabbage, shredded
½ cup carrots, grated
1 red pepper, sliced thin
1 orange pepper, sliced thin
1 cup sliced radishes
1 cup baby greens
1 red chili pepper (fresh) and chopped
2 cups cannellini beans
¼ cup champagne vinegar
Juice and zest of one lemon
¼ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon basil sauce or pesto
1 teaspoon salt
Directions
Place all vegetable sin a big salad bowl. Whisk together remaining ingredients (dressing) until smooth and toss over salad.
Red Cabbage, Mint and Beet Salad
Serves 6
Ingredients
2 cups red cabbage, shredded
3 medium beets, shredded
2 medium carrots, shredded
1 cup fresh mint, chopped
1 tablespoon cumin seeds, toasted
1 tablespoon lime zest
Juice of 2 limes
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoon grapeseed oil
Salt and pepper
Directions
Toss together in a large bowl, cabbage, beets, carrots and mint. In a medium mixing bowl whisk together cumin seeds, lime zest, lime juice, sesame oil, grapeseed oil, salt and pepper. Toss over cabbage mixture and mix well.
