Smothered Green Cabbage, a savory delight that pairs exquisitely with smoked pork chops or a succulent pork roast, and it’s equally divine as a standalone star for a hearty lunch, especially when accompanied by freshly baked cornbread straight from the oven. This recipe falls perfectly into the Lunch/Snacks category, making it an ideal choice for a quick yet satisfying meal. With a cooking time of just 15 minutes, it’s a lifesaver for busy days when time is of the essence.
Let’s delve into the ingredients that bring this dish to life:
- Cabbage: The star of the show, cabbage provides a hearty base for this dish. Its earthy flavor and crunchy texture are enhanced through the cooking process, resulting in a delectable dish that’s bursting with nutrients.
- Butter: Adding richness and depth of flavor, butter serves as the foundation for sautéing the cabbage to perfection.
- Margarine: Alongside butter, margarine contributes to the dish’s velvety texture and adds a touch of indulgence to each bite.
- Bacon Drippings: Infusing the dish with smoky, savory notes, bacon drippings elevate the flavor profile, making every mouthful utterly irresistible.
- Garlic: Aromatic and pungent, garlic lends its distinct flavor to the dish, enhancing its overall complexity.
- Instant Minced Garlic: For added convenience, instant minced garlic ensures that you can enjoy the flavor of garlic without the hassle of peeling and chopping cloves.
- Caraway Seeds: These tiny seeds impart a subtle yet distinctive flavor to the dish, complementing the other ingredients beautifully.
- Salt and Pepper: Seasonings are key to achieving a well-balanced flavor profile, and salt and pepper provide the perfect seasoning to enhance the natural flavors of the cabbage and other ingredients.
Now, let’s explore the step-by-step instructions that will guide you through the cooking process:
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Melt Butter and Bacon Drippings: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter and bacon drippings over medium heat. This step lays the foundation for building layers of flavor in the dish.
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Add Cabbage: Once the butter and bacon drippings are melted and sizzling, add the cabbage to the saucepan. Stir well to coat the cabbage evenly in the flavorful fats.
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Cook the Cabbage: Continue to cook and stir the cabbage over medium heat until it reaches the desired level of tenderness, typically about 10 minutes. You’re aiming for a perfect balance of tender yet crisp cabbage that retains its natural freshness.
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Incorporate Seasonings: As the cabbage cooks, add the minced garlic, caraway seeds, salt, and pepper. These seasonings will infuse the dish with layers of aromatic flavor, enhancing its overall taste profile.
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Stir in Soup: Once the cabbage is tender and infused with flavor, it’s time to add the soup. Stir well to combine all the ingredients, ensuring that the flavors meld together harmoniously.
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Heat Through and Serve: Allow the soup to heat through, ensuring that it’s piping hot and ready to serve. Then, dish up generous portions of the smothered green cabbage, savoring each mouthful of this comforting and nourishing dish.
Nutritionally, this dish is a winner, offering a balance of essential nutrients to fuel your body and tantalize your taste buds. With just 187.1 calories per serving, it’s a guilt-free indulgence that won’t weigh you down. Plus, with 15.2 grams of fat, including 7.3 grams of saturated fat, it provides a satisfyingly rich mouthfeel that’s sure to satisfy.
For those mindful of their cholesterol intake, each serving contains 24.4 milligrams of cholesterol, while the sodium content stands at 416.1 milligrams per serving, adding depth of flavor without overpowering the dish.
Carbohydrates come in at 12 grams per serving, with a respectable 3.6 grams of fiber to support digestive health and promote satiety. Meanwhile, the sugar content is modest at 6.2 grams per serving, ensuring that the dish remains savory rather than overly sweet.
In terms of protein, each serving offers 3.1 grams, providing a satisfying boost to support muscle repair and growth. While the exact number of servings isn’t specified, you can adjust the quantities based on your needs, ensuring that everyone at the table can enjoy this delectable dish.
In conclusion, Smothered Green Cabbage is a culinary masterpiece that’s as easy to prepare as it is delicious to devour. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, it’s the perfect choice for a quick and satisfying lunch or snack. So why wait? Gather your ingredients and get cooking—you’re just minutes away from culinary bliss!
