Eating local. One meal at a time.: This dish sends out the Bat Signal to one of our friends

Monday, August 8

This dish sends out the Bat Signal to one of our friends

When we first began participating in our vegetable CSA, there were items that I had never cooked with or even tasted! Kale was a top one on that list; never ate it, never tasted it. I have never looked back after having my first kale dish. Anyway, I'm rambling...this post is not about kale...there will be one in the future, I promise!

Getting back to foods that I was not used to preparing...cabbage was one of those foods. I have a no-fail dinner recipe that is only 4 or 5 ingredients. Of course, this dish is made better with BACON. We have a friend that has a tendency to "stop over" whenever I'm preparing this dish. It's like the Bat Signal has been activated and he's usually in the neighborhood.

This cabbage dish is also very adaptable for a large gathering and can be made vegan, if you omit the bacon.

Cabbage and Apples
Ingredients:

1 or 2 slices of bacon
1/2 of an onion (red or white), diced
2 cloves of garlic, diced
3 - 4 cups of shredded/sliced green or red cabbage
2 apples, cored, and sliced into bite-sized pieces
Splash of red wine vinegar
Caraway seeds
Pierogi (optional)

In a large pot, begin sauteing your garlic, onions, and bacon. Cook on low heat, so that your bacon doesn't get too crispy before the onions and garlic get a chance to cook nicely.

Bacon getting down with onions and garlic

Add the cabbage and cook on low to medium heat. Make sure the cabbage gets to take on the flavor of the onions, garlic and--most of all--the bacon! Your cabbage (red or green) will be cooked enough when the color begins to get very bright!

This is the right time to add your apples. I only cook the apples until they are warmed through; or you run the risk of getting mushy apples. Add a few splashes of red wine vinegar and shake the caraway seeds throughout the dish. If you want, you can also top the cabbage and apples with pierogi.