Ground Beef & Cabbage

November 9, 2016 ChrisB Beef, cabbage, fall, ground beef, meat, simple, weekday, Winter

When planning meals they often revolve around a grand dish or two for a date night or family gathering, a number of quick and convenient meals for those days through the week where time is the largest issue and a dish or two to save some of those lost ingredients on a slow migration to the rear of the refrigerator.

The majority of our favourite dishes stem from our experiences. A number of our memories are stored from our early years, childhood. While little actual evidence leads me to this conclusion I believe todays dish originates from Ireland, with a few adaptations to work alongside the North American grocer.

One pot wonders can be a great option to save on dishes at the end of a meal. There are many different kinds of one pot wonders; from Sunday roasts to spaghetti many dishes can be made in such a way to utilize only one cooking vessel. The relative ease of cooking with one pot or pan keeps your attention in one place rather than having to jump from a pot, to a pan and back again.

Recipe:

½ a small cabbage, chopped (aprox. 1 1/2 lb)

1 Lb ground beef – we recommend lean

¼ cup water

Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:

In a large pan, brown ground beef over medium high heat

Once browned, add chopped cabbage and water. Cover and reduce heat to medium.

After cabbage has softened, about 10-15 min, season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Any meal can be altered to bulk up, slim down or alter for dietary demands. Some suggestions with this cabbage and ground beef are: strips of simmering steak, or ground lamb in place of ground beef, potatoes are an easy way to add some bulk to this dish. Onions browned alongside the ground beef can add an extra element of flavour. If the mood strikes you and you feel like incorporating this dish into a night that requires a beverage pairing might we recommend a sweeter pinot noir from the cellar or a red ale from the fridge.

This is nothing fancy, it is a savoury dish built for a Wednesday night. Simple in its construction, speed and efficiency combined with a filling dish without the carbs is what this meal is planned for. Easily bulked up for a heartier meal with potatoes or dressed up with lamb, this is a functional one pot wonder to add to your recipe repertoire.