Braised Cabbage with Smoked Pork Ribs

What Romanian doesn’t love braised cabbage with smoked pork ribs?! Honestly, it’s a pure delight! I absolutely adore this recipe, especially because it works just as well with fresh green cabbage as it does with sauerkraut. I couldn’t pick a favorite—both versions are incredibly delicious. Of course, the magic lies in the pork, my favorite meat! 😊 If you’d prefer something lighter, you can skip the meat altogether and still enjoy a hearty dish.

But let’s get back to the recipe and see how it all comes together!

Braised Cabbage with Smoked Pork Ribs

Braised Cabbage with Smoked Pork Ribs is a comforting Romanian dish made with finely chopped cabbage, tender smoked pork ribs, sautéed onions, and tomato paste. The ingredients are simmered together to create a rich, smoky flavor. This dish can be prepared with fresh cabbage or sauerkraut and is seasoned simply with salt and pepper. It's best served with polenta, sour cream, and spicy pickled peppers for a traditional touch. Warm, hearty, and satisfying!

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Main courses

Cuisine Romanian

Servings 6

Difficulty Medium

Equipment

1` large pot

1 kitchen knife

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 cabbage medium size
• ▢ 1 kg smoked pork ribs
• ▢ 400 ml tomato juice
• ▢ 2 onions
• ▢ 50 ml sunflower oil olive oil works great, too
• ▢ 1 tsp salt to taste
• ▢ 1 tsp ground black pepper to taste

Optional

• ▢ 200 ml sour cream
• ▢ 6 pickled chili peppers

Instructions

 

• Peel, wash, and finely chop the onions. Heat a little oil in a large pot and sauté the onions until they’re soft and slightly golden. If you prefer, olive oil works beautifully here.
• Remove any damaged or wilted leaves from the cabbage. Chop it finely, discarding the core. This step is my least favorite—it always makes such a mess in the kitchen!.

  Once chopped, add the cabbage to the pot with the sautéed onions. Pro tip: Start with a large, deep pot. While the cabbage may seem like a lot at first, it will cook down significantly as it softens.
• Wash the smoked ribs and cut them into individual portions. Place them directly into the pot with the cabbage. Even though the ribs are smoked, they still need to cook through. As they simmer, they’ll infuse the cabbage with a delicious, smoky flavor.
• Stir the mixture occasionally and cook it covered over medium heat. Once the cabbage has softened and the ribs are tender, add the tomato paste or tomato sauce—whichever you prefer. Here you can find a great tomato juice recipe. Let everything simmer together for a few more minutes so the flavors meld beautifully.
• Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Be mindful with the salt, as the smoked ribs may already be quite salty.
• Serve this comforting dish with a side of creamy polenta, a dollop of sour cream, and some spicy pickled chili peppers for an authentic Romanian touch.

  Wishing you hearty appetites and warm, cozy meals!
  

Notes

Nutrition

Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 22gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 112mgSodium: 537mgPotassium: 796mgFiber: 5gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 662IUVitamin C: 71mgCalcium: 128mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Easy stew, traditional

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