Sure, I love seeing family (most of the time), but let’s be honest—what we’re all really judging is the menu. I mean, we see these people all year long; the real excitement is about who brought the good eats.
Today, I’m sharing my all-time favorite dish to bring to any family gathering: my son’s absolute obsession—Smothered Cabbage. Yes, it’s as good as it sounds. Yes, people will fight over the last scoop. And yes, it’s ridiculously easy to make, which means you can eat your own batch before anyone even arrives.
Ingredients:
- 1 head of cabbage
- 1 pack of smoked sausage
- ½ bag of seasoning blend or 1 onion + 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 can of Rotel (because a little spice never hurt anyone)
- 1 stick of butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Seasonings to taste: I go with salt, black pepper, cayenne, onion powder, and garlic powder—because why not hit all the basics?
Directions:
- Prep your veggies and sausage:
Chop your cabbage, slice the sausage, and dice your onion & bell pepper (if you’re skipping the pre-made seasoning blend). - Heat things up:
In a heavy-bottomed pot (I swear by my cast iron), pour in the olive oil and let it get happy on medium heat. - Assemble the magic:
Toss in your cabbage, sausage, onion, bell pepper, Rotel, butter, and garlic. Season generously—remember, this is holiday indulgence, not a diet plan. - Smother time:
Cover, turn the heat to medium, and let it smother away. After about an hour, lower the heat slightly and continue cooking for another 30 minutes. Stir frequently. If your cabbage starts sticking, add just enough water to keep things cozy. - Serve and accept compliments:
By the time your relatives smell this, you’ll need to fight them off with a spatula. And don’t forget—seconds (or thirds) are practically mandatory.
Pro Tips:
- Don’t rush it. The low and slow smothering is where the flavor magic happens.
- Adjust spice levels depending on your crowd—cayenne pepper is happiness, but maybe skip if Uncle Larry can’t handle heat.
- Leftovers? Hah. Good luck—they won’t last the night.
So there you have it: my go-to holiday dish that’s sure to steal the spotlight. Family may come for the visit, but they’ll stay for the smothered cabbage.
And honestly? That’s the way I like it.