Thursday Recipe - Cabbage Rolls

Every once in a while, I get a hankering for some good old-fashioned down-home cooking. I have no idea where cabbage rolls originated, although I suspect they are at least partially German. They're a cross between meatloaf, lasagna, and I'm not sure what. I do know they are delicious.

Cabbage Rolls

1 lb. ground beef or turkey
2 c. chopped kale, spinach, or other dark leafy green
1 c. oatmeal
2 eggs
1/2 c. minced onion
1 t. dried basil
1 t. garlic powder
1 t. dried oregano
1/2 c. mayonnaise
12 large cabbage leaves, I prefer Napa cabbage
1 20 oz. can spaghetti sauce

Mix meat, kale, oatmeal, eggs, onion, spices, and mayonnaise in a large bowl. Squish it around until it's well combined. Set it aside.

Fill a large pot half full of hot water. Bring to a boil, then turn off heat. Dip cabbage in the hot water 2 or 3 leaves at a time, just long enough to wilt them, 15-20 seconds. Remove from the water and drain.

Heat oven to 400° F. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish. Scoop about 1/3 c. meat filling onto a cabbage leaf. Wrap and roll it, kind of like an egg roll, tucking the sides in and making sure the meat mixture is completely inside. Place it seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat with the other leaves and the rest of the meat mixture. Pour the spaghetti sauce over the filled cabbage leaves. Bake uncovered for about 1 hour, until meat is done.

Serve with garlic bread and a fruit salad for a complete meal.

Thursday Recipe - Coleslaw

How exciting can coleslaw be? That's a question. My kids like coleslaw plain. You can dress it up spicy or sweet. I'd never had fruit in coleslaw until I had my mother-in-law's version. This time of year is a great time to make your own, if you live in the north. Cabbage is in the stores, fresh and cheap. Don't bother with red cabbage. Green cabbage is fine. If you like more of a lettuce texture, buy Napa cabbage. We're supposed to eat more vegetables, so why not try some of this salad?

Basic Coleslaw

1/2 medium head of cabbage
1/2 c. mayonnaise, use light or fat free if you want
1 T. lemon juice
1 T. lemon pepper seasoning

Rinse the cabbage in cold water, drain. Slice into very thin strips, then cut them to be about 2 inches long. Mix mayo, lemon juice, and seasoning. Add cabbage. Toss just until cabbage is covered. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.

That's it. Simple but delicious.

Variations:

Spicy - add 1 t. smoked paprika and cayenne pepper to taste
Extra veggie - add 1 c. finely chopped raw vegetables - carrots, broccoli, onion, cauliflower, zucchini, bell pepper, etc.
Pickled - add 2 T. chopped dill pickles
Fruited - add 1 c. chopped fresh fruit - banana, apple, pear
Herbed - add 1/2 c. sliced celery, 1 t. dill weed and 1 t. celery seed

Go be creative. What versions do you like? Feel free to share your recipes in the comments.

Thursday Recipe - Bubble & Squeak and Spotted Dick

I'm not British, never even been close to the UK, but when I heard about this dish, I couldn't help figuring out how to cook it. My kids request this one. It's a fast and easy dinner if you add a fruit salad and bread. Spotted Dick is a raisin bread pudding. Nice dessert. Here, I'll give you all the recipes.

Bubble & Squeak

12 oz. link sausage or 12 oz. Kielbasa sausage, sliced
1/2 c. sliced onion
4 c. shredded cabbage
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper

Fry sausage until cooked through. Add onions, sauté until soft. Add cabbage, cover and cook until crisp-tender. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Serve nice and hot.

Winter Fruit Salad

1 can mandarin oranges
1 can chunk pineapple
2 kiwi fruit

Drain oranges and pineapple. Peel kiwi and dice. Toss all together.

Spotted Dick

6 slices soft bread
1/3 c. raisins
1/3 c. brown sugar
3 eggs
1 c. milk
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg

Tear bread into bite size pieces. Toss with raisins. Place in a greased 2 quart casserole. Beat sugar, eggs, milk, and spices until blended. Pour over bread. Bake at 350° for 35 - 45 minutes, until knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let sit for 30 minutes before serving.