This isn’t my best picture, in fact this dish looks a lot less appetizing then it deserves to. Since we all know we eat with our eyes, I am going to have to think about how to improve this. Perhaps more colour would help? Parsley? I know that when J had his first taste he said “wow this is good” in a rather surprised way and I think that was because the presentation was lacking and the colours don’t really pop. If you can get past that – it is really fabulous comfort food. Especially those crisp little cubes of pancetta. I was so stressed out from work this week, I decided to make this even though it was late and we didn’t eat around 10:30. Cooking itself can be so good for relaxing. This recipe is inspired by this risotto recipe of Marcella’s.
2 tablespoons olive oil
100 grams pancetta, thickly cut and diced
1 dried thai chile pepper, crushed, or 1/2t red pepper flakes
1 clove garlic
1 head cabbage, stalk removed and then thinly sliced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons Parmaggiano-Reggiano cheese, freshly grated
In a large dutch oven add olive oil over medium low heat. Add the pancetta, chile and garlic and saute until it is golden brown. The garlic will brown first – when it is browned remove it.
When the pancetta is browned add the cabbage, pepper and half the salt. Turn over a few times and cover. Stir every 5- 10 minutes until cabbage is browned.
Cook and drain the pasta. Taste the cabbage for seasoning and melt in the butter and Parmesan. Toss with the pasta and serve.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Maybe it isn’t your *best* picture, but I think it looks very appetizing. Sounds like a wonderful recipe.
kalyn is so right! This recipe looks and sounds very delicious!
I love the combination of cabbage and pasta…but, you’re right, it always looks rather boring. Fortunately, it tastes great.
Wonderful, simple… tasty – the blue-rimmed bowl was a nice touch…
sounds great. i am forever looking for great vegetables to go with pasta and the cabbage sounds delicious.
This dish does sound delicious, even if does look a little mono-chromatic. They can’t all be beauty queens right?