Gina: This simple, satisfying braise is another Neely staple. After a bit of knife work in the beginning, most of the cooking is unattended, and I love the aroma of bacon and cabbage while I set the table or simply hang with a glass of wine and my girls. Baby carrots add a contemporary twist to this otherwise old-fashioned dish, and they’re a nice color accent for the cabbage. Homemade Smash Seasoning and fresh parsley have the effect of punching up the flavors.
Recipe information
Yield
serves 4 to 6
Ingredients
Smash Seasoning
Preparation
Step 1
Core the cabbage and slice it into 2 inch squares. Thoroughly rinse the cabbage under running water, and then drain in a colander. Cook the bacon in a large pot over medium-high heat until it has rendered much of its fat and is lightly browned but still moist (do not drain the fat). Add the onion and a generous pinch of salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, for another 5 to 7 minutes, until the onion is softened. Add the cabbage, 1 cup water, and the Smash Seasoning to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low, then cover and braise for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender.
Step 2
Add the carrots. Cover and cook for another hour, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are tender. Stir in the parsley, taste for seasonings, and add more salt and pepper, as desired.
Smash Seasoning
Step 3
Stir together the ingredients in a small bowl.
