Mmmm... cabbage?

I don't know exactly how everyone feels about cabbage. Growing up, Mom boiled it with corned beef in March. Occasionally during the summer she'd quarter it and add a few pads of butter, wrap it in aluminum foil packets and throw it on the grill. I thought all of that was just fine. But then, last summer Will and I had dinner at my grandparents. Papa made smoked pork chops on the grill. These were amazing, but for me, the real star was the vegetables Grandma served on the side!

This recipe is pretty easy and I don't have any exact measurements to it, but here is what you will need:

• Head of cabbage
• A sweet onion or red onion
• Minced garlic or garlic cloves
• Olive oil
• Pepper (and salt if you like)

First, start by slicing your onion. Put a few table spoons of olive oil in the bottom of your pan and turn the heat to medium. Add the garlic, pepper, and salt if you choose. (I don't usually use salt, but some people like to. I add about one heaping spoonful of minced, but we really like garlic. Add as much or as little as you like!)

Add the onions into the pan and begin to saute as you prepare the cabbage. Be sure to stir the onions so they don't stick. Next, add the cabbage. It's important to separate the layers of cabbage so when they are added all the pieces get coated with olive oil. Add more oil if the pieces aren't getting coated, but don't get too carried away! You'll need less than you think!

Cook until the cabbage is tender (but not mushy! It should still have a bit of a crunch!) and the onions are soft. Depending on how large of a head of cabbage you use, it could take around 30 minutes or more to cook. I usually buy a head of cabbage that weighs between 2-3 pounds and this makes enough for Will and I for 2-3 meals. I have even added the leftovers into soup! The final product will be slightly sweet and pretty flavorful.

For other ideas, you could also add in grated carrot with the onion to add color. It's sort of a bland colored dish and makes for a sort of sad plate if served with chicken breast. But it certainly doesn't taste boring!

Back to Business

So, it's been awhile. A long while since I've blogged with any substance. I've been doing plenty of writing for fun this summer and even in some forum-style roleplay blogs in the Harry Potter universe, but nothing for my blog. It's a real shame. Real, big shame. So I'd like to introduce a few things that I want to do with this blog every week/month.

1. Try new recipes and share them! I really enjoy cooking and have lately been trying a lot of new recipes and new techniques and even a few new foods. I have a plan in the works to try quinoa. I'd like to share that with you! 
2. Writing prompts. I got this idea from Scarlett and the prompts she's been getting from Mama Kat. I love to write. I love to edit,  I love to tweak. I want to share that passion with you.
3. Photos. Photos are something else that I enjoy. In fact, later this week I will be judging 4-H exhibitor's photos for $10/hr. Pretty awesome gig, huh? But I want to share you moments in my life that I have recorded. They might not always be traditionally pretty, but they will hopefully at least be a glimpse at my less-than-interesting life. 
4. Other ramblings. That was the whole point of this blog anyway when I first started it. It was supposed to be a place for me to record all my thoughts about random things and the things happening to me as I went through life and searched for answers in my own way, on my own terms, and in my own time. 

So there you have it! I haven't assigned days to any of them or anything, but I do have a post in the works tomorrow for one of my favorite vegetable side dishes. I made it a few weeks ago and took pictures with the intention of blogging about it and haven't done it yet. So guess what? It's happening tomorrow. Or maybe later tonight to show up tomorrow..... Haha! Either way, we'll be talking soon. If not, poke me, e-mail me, tweet me, Facebook me, whatever and remind me I "should" be blogging!