by Kim Miller

Created on: August 05, 2011

Cabbage is a food that can be very bitter if not prepared properly. Cabbage is probably one of the easiest foods to prepare. Some cabbage heads have succulent leaves that can be used in rolled cabbage, some leaves are tighter. Cabbage can also be eaten raw, boiled or fried.

To boil cabbage, remove all foliage and cut the cabbage in half. Once it is cut in half remove the thick stem. Once the stem is removed the cabbage can be cut in fourths and then sliced into whatever the desired size.  Next wash the cabbage in a colander and put it in a kettle of water to boil. Make sure the water covers all of the cabbage. Let the cabbage boil until it is tender. After it is cooked drain the water off, add butter and eat.

Cabbage can be prepared the same way as it is when boiled if eating it raw except once it is fourths, shred it so that it has a finer texture.

To fry cabbage, prepare the same as when boiled and raw by shredding it. Then put the cabbage in a pan with canola oil. Let it fry until it is tender. Since it is a succulent plant it will produce water. This is fine, just let the water cook down. If there is not enough water some can be added until it is almost cooked. Then add more cooking oil so that it will fry instead of boil.

The best way to prepare cabbage is to use it in cabbage rolls. The head that is picked for this should have large succulent leaves. First remove each leaf. Then wash them thoroughly. To use the leaves in cabbage rolls, put them in boiling water until they are pliable enough to roll.  

While the cabbage is cooking, combine 1 pound of hamburger, 1 Tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, 1 tsp. 1 TBL dry onions, 1 T garlic 3 pieces of dry bread made into fine crumbs and 1 cup of cooked rice.  Mix well and put in the center of each of the cabbage leaves. Roll each leaf up, tucking the sides in. Place in a baking pan and set aside.

In a small sauce pan mix 1 8 oz can of tomato sauce, 1 T lemon juice, 1 T brown sugar and 2 T Worcestershire sauce. Cook until sugar is dissolved. Pour this over the cabbage rolls, cover and cook on 350 for 45 min., or until the hamburger meat is cooked through.

Once the cabbage rolls are cooked, drain the juice from them. To this mix 1 T cornstarch with 1 T cold water until smooth.  Heat the drained juice, add the cornstarch mixture and cook until thickened. Pour over cooked cabbage and serve.

No matter how it is cooked cabbage is a delicious and healthy food.

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