Kiełbasa and Cabbage Skillet

📝 Ingredients

• 2.2 lb (1 kg) white cabbage, about 1 head
• 1 large onion (7 oz, 200 g), yellow or white
• 3 garlic cloves
• 8 oz kiełbasa sausage (Polish ‘zwyczajna’ or ‘wiejska’)
• 3.5 oz (100 g) smoked bacon (optional)
• 1 tsp lard, can substitute for any cooking oil (optional)
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 allspice berries
• 2 black peppercorns
• 1 tbsp tomato paste / concentrate
• 1 tsp dried marjoram
• 1 tsp smoked paprika spice
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• A handful fresh parsley leaves, chopped

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Wash the cabbage under running water. Even though...: Wash the cabbage under running water. Even though the inside is usually clean (the outer leaves protect the inside), you might want to clean it anyway. Remove the tough outer leaves and discard them. Separate the inner leaves and wash them under running water.
2. 2Shred the cabbage into ½ inch (1-1.25 cm)...: Shred the cabbage into ½ inch (1-1.25 cm) wide strips, chop it up. Set aside.
3. 3Peel an onion and dice it finely. Finely...: Peel an onion and dice it finely. Finely chop the garlic with a knife. Cut kie?basa sausage into chunks (rounds or cubes). Chop the bacon into pieces.
4. 4Add bacon and kie?basa pieces to the deep...: Add bacon and kie?basa pieces to the deep frying pan (or a cooking pot with a thick bottom). Cook over a low heat for a few minutes. There should be enough fat rendering, so there is no need to add any more. If you feel that it’s too dry, add a little bit of lard or oil.
5. 5Add chopped onion and garlic to the pan,...: Add chopped onion and garlic to the pan, then add the shredded cabbage. Fry for 2-3 minutes, let everything soften a bit.
6. 6Pour some water (or even better - some...: Pour some water (or even better - some stock if you have it on hand) over the cabbage. I find that just under a cup is enough. Add a bay leaf, allspice berries and black peppercorns.
7. 7Simmer on low heat, covered, until the cabbage...: Simmer on low heat, covered, until the cabbage is tender (about 20 minutes).
8. 8If you would like to fish out allspice...: If you would like to fish out allspice berries and peppercorns, that’s a good moment to do so. I keep them in and just avoid them while eating.
9. 9Finally, add 1 tablespoon of tomato paste. Season...: Finally, add 1 tablespoon of tomato paste. Season the cabbage to taste with salt, pepper, a teaspoon of marjoram and a teaspoon of ground sweet paprika.
10. 10Take the pan off the stove. Sprinkle the...: Take the pan off the stove. Sprinkle the dish with chopped parsley. Serve with bread or with mashed potatoes for lunch or dinner.