How to cook cabbage? 5 different ways of preparation

Cabbage (also called cabbage ) is a very popular and important vegetable worldwide, being consumed all over the world, having the bad reputation of being considered a plant with an insipid and boring taste, which does not win more place than that of companion of others. foods.

The truth is that like many undervalued ingredients, cabbage has quite a lot of versatility and great culinary potential, being a vegetable that is very adaptable to various cooking and tastes above all. It should also be noted that it provides various benefits for the health of those who consume it, so it is not only a good dish for the flavor it can provide, but also for its components.

Types of cabbage for cooking

It may be that having no experience in the field, you have only seen one variety of cabbage, but the reality is that there are 4 different ideal cabbages for every taste. You can learn a little more about each one below.

Green cabbage

This is surely the best known type, being used daily in almost any home. Its appearance is quite common, bearing a certain resemblance to lettuce due to its color. Its flavor being raw can be classified as spicy, acquiring sweetness once it is cooked.

Red or purple cabbage

As for its flavor, it is identical to green cabbage, with the difference that its color is very similar to that of beets, even coloring some foods with which it is prepared. A very interesting curiosity about this variety is that it acquires a blue tone when cooked with common water, this due to certain components it has. If you want to preserve its red color, simply add lemon to the water you are going to cook with.

Milan cabbage

Its appearance and color are identical to those of green cabbage, with the difference that its leaves are more wrinkled than this. It is considered the variety with the softest and most tender flavor when it comes to cabbages.

Napa cabbage

Likewise, its appearance is similar, characterized in its case by having many more leaves and a softer and sweeter flavor.

How to prepare and clean cabbage for cooking?

The first step is always to choose a good quality cabbage to cook with; The guidelines for finding the best cabbage suggest choosing one with a large number of leaves, checking the underside to ensure that the leaves do not detach from the stem.

The leaves should look fresh and firm (any wilted should be discarded), opting for those that are closer together. Having already the cabbage, when we go to cook we must prepare it correctly.

The first thing to do to prepare the cabbage is to remove any loose leaves that it may have (these will be one or two outer layers maximum, and you can easily identify them).

The next thing is to cut the cabbage in half and repeat this step. When the cabbage is cut, it is necessary to remove the heart from it and, if desired, slice it into strips.

Ways to cook cabbage

Then. I will give you a list along with the necessary steps to cook cabbage in a simple way with various alternatives loaded with flavor and easy to carry out.

Braised cabbage

To prepare braised cabbage, the first thing to do is heat coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. After 5 minutes, add the cabbage (after removing the core and so on), stirring it until it begins to wilt.

For flavor, we can add chicken broth or cut vegetables, along with salt, pepper, and bay leaves. With the cabbage accompanied, we proceed to lower the flame and cover the pot, as it must continue cooking until it is tender.

The last step would be to add apple cider vinegar before increasing the temperature; It continues to cook until more liquid evaporates and then it is removed from the heat to serve.

Steamed cabbage

The process is very easy, we simply have to place the steamer in a large pot with enough water to cover the bottom.

When the water is already boiling, we add the chopped cabbage to the steamer and close it, we can also add salt and pepper to taste. After 8 to 10 minutes, the cabbage is done.

Sauteed cabbage

The first step is to add coconut oil to a frying pan and start heating it over medium high heat; When the oil is boiling, add the chopped cabbage.

It should be stirred for about 8 to 10 minutes, with the intention that its leaves wilt and look dark. When finished, season the cabbage with salt, pepper and some other spice of your choice.

Boiled cabbage

After filling a large pot with water, we place it over medium heat and add a pinch of salt to taste (not much). When the water is hot, add the cabbage, cover the pot and let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes.

Turn the cabbage over and with the help of a container, remove some of the liquid without removing the pot from the heat. It should be boiled until the liquid evaporates completely; As soon as this happens, organic butter is added to the cabbage and stirred.

Roasted cabbage

Roasted cabbage is prepared in the oven, so we must start preheat to 250 ° F. It will be placed on a tray after cutting it, trying to create an even layer, coconut oil is spread over it, and it is also seasoned with salt, pepper and any other preferred spice.

There, we must wait for the cabbage to become tender, cooking it for about 25 to 35 minutes, turning it when this time is halfway through.

Cabbage benefits

As part of the vegetable family, cabbage provides its own benefits for the body, which deserve to be mentioned; these are:

• It is a great source of water, magnesium, and potassium.
• It is very rich in vitamins A, C and E.
• It has good amounts of fiber, excellent for digestion.
• It absorbs toxins from the body, helps you lose weight, and absorbs the most essential nutrients.

Cabbage as food provides benefits and a unique flavor, for this reason it is never too much to add it to your daily menu, giving it an opportunity to surprise you with each of its varieties.