Slice the cabbage in half and cut out the bottom core. Roughly slice into ½ inch strips. Submerge in a large bowl of cold water for a thorough wash and then drain using a large sieve or salad spinner.
Heat the oil in a large non-stick saucepan over a medium-low heat for around 2 minutes. Add the bacon and fry, stirring often for 3 minutes or until opaque, not browned. (See note 2)
Add the butter and when bubbling add the cabbage and water. Reduce the heat to low and cover for 5 minutes. Then uncover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring often and making sure nothing gets browned.
Next, stir through the cream and black pepper and cook for a further 5 minutes, stirring often, to thicken the cream.
Notes
Note 1: I haven’t included salt as the bacon and butter is salty enough.Note 2: Be sure to cook on the lowest heat and to stir often. If anything browns, once you add the cream it will cast a brown tint to the whole dish (it will still taste good though!).
MAKING IT IN ADVANCE
The cabbage can be prepped the day before, as can the bacon, just store both in the fridge in airtight food bags/containers. You can cook the whole dish the day before and refrigerate, then microwave until piping hot, 3-4 minutes, stirring halfway. Or make it weeks in advance and freeze. Defrost in the fridge for 24 hours before microwaving.
STORAGE
You can store leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days (2 + cook day). You can also freeze leftovers, just be sure to defrost them for 24 hours in the fridge before reheating and you might want to add a drop of water in before you microwave them and stir half-way through.
Baby & Toddler
Just before you add the cream, remove some cabbage strips only for your little one. For over 12 months - remove the bacon from their serving. For under 12 months - fry the bacon in a separate pan so the salt from it doesn’t seep into the cabbage. Then just toss everything together after little ones portion has been removed.
BABY-LED WEANING
Little one will be able to palm these strips as they are.
SPOON FEEDING
6 months roughly chop the cabbage and add to stick blender pot (or food chopper if it purées), along with the rest of their meal and whizz into a purée. Add a little warm boiled water and a drop of gravy or low-salt stock to loosen.7-12 months add the cabbage along with the rest of baby’s meal to your food chopper and whizz until finely chopped for 7-9 month olds, or go for a more lumpy, chopped consistency for 10-12 month olds. Add a little warm boiled water and drop of gravy or low-salt stock to loosen as needed.1 year + using a sharp knife and fork, slice through the cabbage to make it more manageable.
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