This is quite a fresh interesting meal that is a bit different and really tasty. The combination creamy cabbage, sweet, peppery bacon and roasted lemon scented vegetables is quite superb, plus it's a great way of utilizing vegetables that are in season. Cabbage is perfect to use for a range of dishes: it's usually cheap, lasts in the fridge for quite a while, and it's really delicious.
To roast bacon in the oven along with sugar and pepper really gives a wonderful result, so if you haven't tried it yet, you really have to! And to serve lemony roasted vegetables along with all this works very well. Plus, it's nice to use the oven for other things if you're roasting bacon, that way you can utilize the heat and the two dishes cook simultaneously. And also, if by any chance you're looking for low carb meals, then this is a pretty good one, just omit the sugar on the bacon if you're really strict.
If you're interested in cooking more with vegetables and combining interesting flavors and textures, then you really should give this recipe a go. It's simply, elegant and very good.
Creamed Cabbage: - 1 head of green cabbage, sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups milk
- salt and
Candied Bacon:
- 1 pound good quality bacon
- ½ cup browned sugar
- lots of black pepper
Roasted Vegetables
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Mixed vegetables (here we used carrots and broccoli), washed and cut into smaller pieces
- salt pepper
- 1 lemon
Method:
Put the oven to 350 degree. On a sheet pan with a baking rack on top, distribute the bacon in a single layer. Sprinkle the browned sugar evenly on the bacon slices and add lots of fresh, black pepper to the slices. Cook in the oven for about 30-45 minutes or until the bacon is crispy. Check on the bacon sometimes because it can burn easily!
On another sheet pan, arrange the cut up vegetables, distribute some oil over them, add a generous amount of salt and pepper. Roast the vegetables in the oven for about 30 minutes alongside the bacon until they are browned. When they are done, add some lemon zest and lemon juice to the vegetables.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pot, and add the cabbage, cook for about 10 minutes or until soft. Sprinkle the flour over the cabbage and cook for a couple of minutes, make sure to stir well so the flour doesn't clump. Slowly add the milk, stir well and build up the sauce. Taste with salt and pepper.
Serve the creamed cabbage alongside the candied bacon and the roasted vegetables.
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