Recipes for Cabbage and Brussel Sprouts

 

Cabbage Facts
Curried Cabbage
German Braised Red Cabbage
Peasant Pie
Brussel Sprouts

Cabbage Facts*

Since ancient times, the cabbage has been a source of vitamin C during the winter months for peoples living in northern climes, from the Orient to the New World. It is a good source of fiber as well as cartenoids,

B-complex, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and calcium.

As a member of the cruciferous family, cabbage is rich in substances that block the formation and spread of tumors. Folk medicine values the cabbage for the stomach; Irish girls traditionally drank cabbage juice for the complexion. Recent research has shown the juice of cabbage to be highly therapeutic for ulcers. *From Nourishing Traditions. Published by ProMotion.

Curried Cabbage*

Coleslaw, shredded, braised or stirfried cabbage is a filling and hearty vegetable. The cabbage family or brassicas (includes kale, broccoli, arugula, cauliflower and brussel sprouts) grow well in the Northwest climate and are an excellent local vegetable.

1 tbsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. turmeric
1/2 cup olive oil/butter
2 tbsp. grated ginger
2 cups chopped leeks
1 medium cabbage, thinly sliced.

Sauté the spices in oil/butter for a minute or two. Add the leeks and ginger and cook until the leeks turn bright green.

Add the cabbage and stir so that all the ingredients are coated with spices. Cover and cook over medium-heat until the cabbage is soft.
*From Salt Spring Island Cooking. Published by Macmillan Canada.

German Braised Red Cabbage*

1 tbsp. sesame oil
4 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
1 cup diced onions
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1 cup peeled, cored and diced apple
6 clove of minced garlic
1/4 cup of dark raisins
2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp. honey
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. liquid hickory smoke (optional)
1/16 tsp. cinnamon

In a 2-quart saucepan (with lid), heat the oil on high heat and sauté the cabbage, onion, carrots, apples and garlic for 3 minutes.

Add raisins, vinegar, honey, salt, liquid smoke, and cinnamon and reduce heat to medium. Simmer covered for about 30 minutes or until cabbage is tender but firm. Serve hot. *From Eco-Cuisine. Published by Ten Speed Press.

Peasant Pie*

The Crust:
1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 tsp. sea salt
1/2 cup cream cheese
3 tbsp. butter or margarine
1 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
1/3 cup ice-water

Toss the flour, salt and parmesan together into a bowl. Rub or cut the softened cream cheese and butter into the flour mixture until it looks like coarse meal. Mix the ice-water into the above mixture. It may still look a little crumbly, but don't despair. Gather the dough into a ball, and cut it in half. Roll out one half, and use it to line the pie-plate for the bottom crust. Set the pie-plate aside in the fridge, along with the remainder of the dough, while you make the filling.

The filling:
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
4 cups chopped onions
3 cups shredded cabbage
5 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. tarragon
1 tsp. marjoram
2 cups chopped mushrooms
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. dill

Spread the mustard on the piecrust. Sauté the leeks and cabbage and mushrooms in butter until softened and sprinkle herbs over them. Pour the mixture into the pie-plate, sprinkle with salt and dill.

Roll out the other half of the dough and cover the pie. Press the top and bottom crusts together with a fork and trim the edges. Cut a slit or two in the top crust, to allow steam to escape while the pie cooks. Bake at 400 degree F for about 15-20 minutes. *From Salt Spring Island Cooking. Published by Macmillan Canada.

Brussel Sprouts*

Your gorgeous Brussel Sprouts on the original stalk are from Glen Valley. They are tasty as well as beautiful.

According to U.S. cookbook "Nourishing Tradition", brussel sprouts were first planted in North America by Thomas Jefferson. Brussel sprouts are a flavorful winter vegetable that can be ruined by overcooking.

They contain a vitamin profile as other members of the cruciferous family, namely cartenoids and vitamin C and minerals phosphorus and calcium. Like cabbage and broccoli, Brussel sprouts contain a host of anti-cancer substances.

In a Cornell university study it was also found that Brussel sprouts have high amounts of a compound called glucobardssicin that aid the liver in neutralizing and eliminating potential carcinogens.

Alyson at Glen Valley told us that you can eat the leafy greens at the top (like cabbage leaves) and you can also peel the stalk and chop as you might with broccoli stalks.

---------------------
Steam for 5-10 minutes until just tender-do not overcook! Transfer to a heated serving dish and top with a pat of butter.

An alternate method is to cut the sprouts lengthwise into quarters and sauté them gently in a little butter or olive oil. *From Nourishing Traditions. ProMotion Publishing.

bugus@ladybugorganics.com