Cabbage and Sausage

This is one of my favorite main dishes.  Erika was the first one to make it for me almost 10 years ago - who knew I liked cooked cabbage?!  If you have a Sprouts in your area, they have a Chicken and Basil sausage that is super tasty in things.  It's a bit strong on it's own.  They have a bunch of other sausages that work for this, too. 

1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 head cabbage, washed, cored, chopped
1 lb Sausage of choice (smoked sausage - cut up, chicken & basil sausage - remove casings)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Herbs de Provence to taste
1 T. olive oil

Heat a medium to large pot (with a lid) on medium heat, add oil and saute onions until they start becoming translucent.  Add garlic and saute for 1 minute.  Add the sausage (if a smoked sausage, you only have to cook for a couple minutes.  If a raw sausage out of a casing, cook until done).  Once sausage is cooked add the cabbage and stir well.  Cover the pot and cook for 5 mins, stir and repeat until the cabbage is soft.  When the cabbage is soft, it's ready to eat.  Enjoy!

Luck of the Irish-Part I

I figured since St. Patrick's Day was this Thursday, that I would offer some Irish recipes. This colcannon is my own take combining several recipes for the fastest, easiest version.

Colcannon



6 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped

1/2 small head cabbage, chopped

1/2 cup diced onion (or green onion)

1 cup diced ham (or corned beef, or 1/2 cup crumbled bacon)

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Place chopped potatoes in a large pot, cover with water to an inch over the potatoes. Bring to a boil for 5-7 minutes. Add chopped cabbage to the pot and boil another 7-8 minutes or until potatoes are fork soft. Drain.

Meanwhile, sautee onions in a little oil in a small skillet.

Mash potatoes, cabbage, milk and butter. Stir in sauteed onions, ham, salt and pepper.

Garnish with chives or green onions.

Chopped Chicken and Cabbage Salad

I try to get more raw leafy greens into our diet and was bored.  I went through old recipes and found this one.  It's been years since I made it.  We had it last month and I remembered why I liked it so much.  Blaine even liked it - score!  It's fast and easy and not heavy.  It's also very versatile.  You can play with seasonings and other additions.  If you find some you like, please share variations in the comments.

1 large head chopped or shredded cabbage (about 12 c.) (also good with Napa Cabbage)
1 - 2 cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
2 tbsp. sugar or honey
1/4 c. rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1/3 c. olive or sesame oil
1 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground
1 pkg. dry Ramen noodles (without the seasoning packet), crumbled
1/3 c. slivered almonds, toasted (pecans and pine nuts work well, too)

4 whole green onions, thinly sliced (optional)

2 – 3 Tablespoons sesame seeds

In a large salad bowl, combine cabbage, chicken & nuts.  In a small bowl combine the sugar, vinegar, oil and seasonings. Stir until dissolved. Pour over cabbage and toss lightly, cover and chill.

Just before serving, crumble the dry noodles into the salad. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and serve.