Sweet cabbage sautéed with pork

Sweet sautéed cabbage with pork – a classic recipe, full of flavors and tradition, that brings together simple tastes and home cooking. This dish is an excellent choice for a family meal, being comforting and hearty. Let’s embark together on the preparation of this delicious recipe!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Servings: 4-6

Necessary ingredients:
- 2 kg sweet cabbage (choose medium-sized and meaty cabbages)
- 1-2 large onions, finely chopped
- 1-2 bell peppers, diced
- 1 carrot, grated or finely chopped
- 400 g tomatoes (or 200 g tomato juice/paste)
- 1-2 tablespoons borscht (for sourness)
- 500 g pork (preferably lean meat with a bit of belly)
- 2-3 bay leaves
- Salt and peppercorns (to taste)
- Spices (optional, to preference)
- 1 bunch of fresh dill, chopped
- Oil (for sautéing)

Necessary utensils:
- A large pot for cooking
- A wooden spoon for stirring
- A preheated oven

Step by step:
1. Preparing the cabbage: Start by removing the outer leaves of the cabbage that do not look good. Wash it well under cold running water and slice it thinly, into strips. If you want a less pronounced cabbage flavor, sprinkle salt over it and let it sit for about 30 minutes. The salt will help the cabbage release some juice. After that, squeeze it gently between your palms to remove excess water.

2. Preparing the meat: Cut the pork into small cubes. You can opt for lean meat with a bit of belly for a richer flavor. Fry the meat in a pan with a little oil until it is lightly browned, then set it aside.

3. Sautéing the vegetables: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent. Then add the bell pepper and carrot. Stir and let the vegetables soften for a few minutes.

4. Cooking the cabbage: Add the sautéed cabbage to the pot, along with a little hot water (or meat broth, if you boiled the meat beforehand). Stir well and add the pepper, bay leaves, and optionally, other preferred spices. Cover the pot and let the cabbage simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, until it becomes soft.

5. Adding the meat and tomatoes: After the cabbage has softened, add the fried meat and chopped tomatoes (or tomato juice). Mix everything well and let it simmer together for another 10-15 minutes. Adjust the taste with salt, borscht, and spices.

6. Baking in the oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Then, transfer the entire mixture to a baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30-40 minutes, until the cabbage becomes slightly browned and the flavors blend perfectly.

7. Finalizing the dish: After baking, sprinkle fresh dill on top and mix gently.

Serving:
This sweet sautéed cabbage with pork is served warm, alongside polenta, homemade bread, or even mashed potatoes. It is a dish that fits perfectly into Sunday family meals.

Useful tips:
- Ingredients: Choose fresh cabbage, without spots or wilted leaves. Pork can be replaced with chicken or turkey for a lighter option.
- Variations: You can add mushrooms or potatoes for an even heartier dish. Also, for a spicy note, try adding a little hot pepper.
- Frequently asked questions:
- Can I replace pork with beef? Yes, but the cooking time will be different. Beef requires a longer simmer to become tender.
- Can I make this dish vegetarian? Sure! Replace the meat with tofu or a variety of vegetables, adding spices to give it a rich flavor.

Nutritional benefits:
Cabbage is an excellent source of vitamins C and K, and pork provides quality protein. This dish is hearty and good for a balanced diet, especially in the cold season.

Calories:
A serving of sweet sautéed cabbage with pork contains approximately 350-400 calories, depending on the amount of oil and meat used.

Ideal combinations:
This dish pairs wonderfully with a glass of red wine, but also with fruit compote or a fragrant tea.

I hope you enjoy every bite of this traditional recipe for sweet sautéed cabbage with pork! This dish is not just a meal, but a story about tradition, warmth, and moments spent with loved ones. Bon appétit!

 Ingredients: If you are not fasting, you can cook it with chicken or pork. This time I cooked the cabbage with lean pork meat and a little pork belly. 2 kg of medium-sized and denser cabbage 2 onions 1-2 bell peppers 1 carrot tomato juice or tomato paste a little borscht for sourness salt, peppercorns, spices 2-3 bay leaves 1-2 bunches of dill. If you are not fasting, you can cook it with chicken or pork. This time I cooked the cabbage with lean pork meat and a little pork belly.