Cabbage and Kielbasa

A simple crock-pot recipe to warm your tummy on cold nights.

This recipe is one that I have made many times. I have adapted it from the Slow Cooker Cabbage and Onions recipe on http://www.sugarfreemom.com and am thankful to have enjoyed it all these times. She has wonderful recipes on her site and I strongly encourage you to check her out.

While I do not strive to follow a keto diet, I have found that many keto recipes are amazing and also work well with the gluten-free diet that we must follow. Please do not ever let a category such as “keto” or “gluten-free” interfere with you trying a new recipe because you may be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

Notes

This recipe really is a super simple one, but what it lacks in difficulty, it makes up for in flavor and versatility. It seems like a massive amount when you start it, but the cabbage cooks down to about half the volume. It makes about 8 servings and is great served with a side of buttered bread to sop up the little bit of broth.

Depending on your needs and preferences, you can make a plethora of changes to this meal. For example, we do not eat pork, so I always use turkey or beef kielbasa instead.

After 6 hours, the cabbage cooks down and the meat is exquisite.

Kielbasa has a lot of sodium usually, as does bouillon, so I do not add extra salt. This is a common theme in my cooking. I would much rather have every person at the table be able to add salt to their personal preference.

I also prefer fresh vegetables over pre-made blends, which is why, I always use freshly chopped cabbage. However, the original post did mention that you can use a pre-made coleslaw blend in place of the cabbage.

Please note that it IS a bit spicy. Our family is very big on spice and it is on the more mild side of our preferences. However, if you are very sensitive to spiciness, please feel free to cut back on the red pepper flakes a bit.

Whatever works for you. That is the point of cooking. Make something to share and enjoy. And I hope that you do enjoy this recipe as much as we do. I look forward to hearing from you with any questions or comments that you may have.

Ingredients

  • 1 to 1 1/2 c water or broth of your choice
  • 1 bouillon cube or 1 tsp “Better Than Bouillon” (if using water rather than broth)
  • 1 Tbsp crushed red pepper flakes (or a little less if you prefer)
  • 1 Tbsp cumin
  • 1 head of cabbage, chopped (usually makes about 16 cups for me)
  • 1 onion, finely minced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed.
  • 2 packages turkey or beef kielbasa (or similar product of your choice), sliced

Directions

  1. Combine water (or broth), bouillon (if needed), red pepper flakes, and cumin in a small bowl or measuring cup.
  2. Toss together cabbage, onion, garlic, and kielbasa in large crockpot.
  3. Pour the liquid and seasoning blend over the top.
  4. Cover and cook on high for about 6 hours or low for 8 hours. (I usually stir about halfway through cooking, but that is completely optional and usually just so I can steal a nibble.)
Yummy yum yum yum.

Why am I here?

Why have I started this blog?

Shortly after my husband and I began dating, he told me that he had someone that he wanted me to meet. He felt that she might be a great friend for me and that we would get along well. That was about 18 years ago, and to this day she is one of the truest friends that I could imagine. She is like a sister to me and I cannot imagine the past 18 years without her.

When we moved across the country, she is the only thing that I miss from “back home.” I will never stop keeping my fingers crossed that she will decide to move to a nicer climate although I understand all of the factors tying her there.

In all of our years of friendship, Rachel has been there for me through every imaginable trial. She has kept me strong and I have never felt that I could repay her for all of it. But I have tried in the one way that I know best … through her stomach.

This woman loves delicious food, and I think my cooking skills are one of the things that she loves most about me. But as much as she enjoys good food, she cannot cook very well. I have tried over the years to give her pointers, but especially now that I cannot drag her into my kitchen and teach her in person, I wanted a way to help her (and others with her lack of skills) and to share great, easy recipes with her.

Today, when I mentioned that I was starting this blog in her honor, she asked if it was going to be a blog with “Help for the Kitchen-impared.” We know each other so well.

I also want to create a family cookbook. My kids are getting older now and I acknowledge that in no time they will be moving out. I pray that they will always live close but I do not know what their future holds. And so, this site is also for them, so that they will always be able to find classic recipes from their youth, and will be able to remember the past through their tastebuds.

So welcome to this journey. I hope that you will enjoy these recipes as well and I look forward to hearing feedback on them. Thanks and be well. 🙂

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