Recipe Background
Fried Cabbage, born from a moving day inspiration, is a quick, comforting dish.
The first time I made fried cabbage, it was during my friend Gina's last-minute move across town. We were standing in her new kitchen surrounded by boxes, and as movers shuffled in and out, Gina and I realized we needed to feed the whole crew. A childhood memory of my grandmother's cabbage sparked an idea. I rummaged through Gina’s pantry and found a modest head of cabbage and some bell peppers. Some grapeseed oil and Cajun seasoning were on hand—a combination I would later swear by for an unexpected kick.
As I sliced the cabbage and the peppers, Gina stirred the onions and garlic in a hefty cast-iron skillet. That skillet was Gina's grandmother's, and I was hoping our concoction would honor its legacy. We added the Cajun seasoning to the skillet, filling the air with a heady aroma that made even the hungriest mover stop in his tracks. Butter soon melted into the mix, adding richness that elevated the dish to comfort food status by any standard.
Our impromptu dish became legendary among friends, earning us impromptu invites to potlucks where it was always requested. The trick I learned was to let the cabbage simmer until just the right tenderness to retain some bite and to adjust the seasoning boldly, allowing it to stand out on its own. This perfect meal kept the movers motivated and gave new meaning to friend-powered moving days, powered by a dash of creativity and a welcome pinch of nostalgia.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning or to taste, divided
- 1/2 red bell pepper sliced
- 1/2 medium green bell pepper sliced
- 1 medium head cabbage thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon butter optional, plus more to taste
- salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
Directions
- Heat the grapeseed oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
- Add the onions and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Season the onions and garlic with 1 teaspoon of the Cajun seasoning, stirring to combine.
- Mix in the red peppers and green peppers, cooking until slightly softened, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the cabbage and remaining Cajun seasoning, stirring to combine.
- Add the butter and stir until melted.
- Simmer the cabbage until it reaches the desired softness, about 15 minutes.
- Season the cabbage with salt and pepper. Serve.
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