1.08.2011

Jack Bishop's Savoy Cabbage


It's always fun to keep you posted about new cookbooks from time to time, but here's one cookbook that isn't new, has no photos to drool over, hasn't gotten a lot of attention in the press and isn't going to win any awards. It should though. It's just about the most complete and knowledgeable book on veggies I've seen. Vegetables Every Day. A virtual encyclopedia of vegetables. Everyone should have a copy in their kitchen library. You'll love it- the author doesn't miss a trick, or a vegetable. The basics. You name it, it's in there. Along with some really excellent recipes.

Jack Bishop is the editorial director of America's Test Kitchen. He joined the staff of Cook's Magazine in 1988 and helped with the launch of Cook's Illustrated in 1993. He established the tasting protocols used in America's Test Kitchen and has authored dozens of articles for the magazine and is a prolific book author.



I've had the cookbook for quite a while, bookmarked lots of recipes and have been trying one after another. I posted one of his recipes quite a while back- crispy fried artichoke hearts. Fabulous. But labor-intensive, as all artichoke dishes are because everyone wants to get to the lovely center. The recipe is HERE


Always keeping Bishop's book in mind when I'm in the vegetable section, I spied a gorgeous head of savoy cabbage at Whole Foods, grabbed it, took out Bishop's book for inspiration and made this wonderful side dish.



Savoy Cabbage with Pancetta and Onions
From Vegetables Every Day by Jack Bishop



Ingredients:


1 head Savoy cabbage (about 2 1/2 pounds)
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, cut into 1/2 inch dice
2 medium onions, chopped
1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
freshly ground black pepper

Method:

Bring 4 quarts of water to boil in a large pot. Remove any tough or damaged outer leaves of the cabbage. Quarter the cabbage through the stem end and cut out the core in each quarter. Slice the cabbage crosswise into thin strips. You should have 12 cups. Add the cabbage and salt to taste to the boiling water and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and set the cabbage aside.

Heat the oil, pancetta and onions in a large Dutch oven or casserole over medium heat. Cook until the pancetta is crisp and the onion begins to brown, about 6 minutes. Stir in the cabbage and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted and browned, about 12 minutes. (Make certain to brown the cabbage well. It's fine if it starts to stick to the bottom of the pan a bit. When the stock is added, it will deglaze the pan.) 


Add the stock and bring the liquid to a boil. Cook just until the liquid in the pot evaporates, 3-5 minutes. Add salt and pepper and serve immediately. Serves 6 as a side dish.

63 comments:

  1. I love cabbage cooked in this manner. This recipe sounds very, very nice. I am curious about the cookbook also. Will need to check it out. Thanks.

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  2. I think I need to add that to my kitchen library! That savory cabbage sounds incredible.

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  3. Barbara, You won my cookbook giveaway. email me at pennyklett@gmail.com with your address and I will send you a copy of As Always, Julia.

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  4. My go-to book for vegetables is Bert Greene's oldie and I think it would be splendid to expand in that department. Like you, I often go to the market and see what appeals then take it home and figure out something to do with it. I am really trying hard to have more vegetables and less meat and starch. Just so happens I got a cabbage at the chilly farmer's market today to eat with my fancy happy meat kielbasa... this is a perfect way to do it!!!! Great timing, Lovely Barbara!

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  5. oh SWOON Barbara - we enjoy vegetables more than meat (although bacon gives all veg a run for their money!) i must look for that book - my library won't be complete without it!

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  6. Barbara,
    The cookbook sounds great. I am going to make the savoy cabbage, wow that looks amazing!!
    XX

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  7. Savoy is my favorite varietal of cabbages. This looks like a good simple recipe. I do something similar with a splash of cider vinegar at the end.
    My go-to vegetable cookbook is Alice Waters The Art of Simple Food. Vegetables Every Day sounds like a great reference too.

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  8. I first read this as "Joey Bishop". Which made me go Google him to see if he's still alive!

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  9. I really like that cabbage. Your dish is lovely!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  10. Now, if my cabbages would just start growing ...

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  11. Cabbage and pancetta! YUM!

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  12. Now this is something even my picky son would eat. I could make it so as to feed him with some cabbage.

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  13. Barbara, something light for the start! Thank you for sharing your new cookbook. That's very nice of you. Hope you're enjoying your weekend.
    Cheers, Kristy

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  14. Thanks for the heads up on the book. I'm going to buy me a copy. This cabbage recipe looks wonderful. And just in time, I have a head of cabbage that needs to get used.

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  15. Look awesome Barbara, I love this recipe! gloria

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  16. wow what a lovely cabbage recipe and cool book always nice to have new veggie recipes,

    bet you are a fab Mum Barbara

    hugs Rebecca

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  17. I am not a huge fan of the cabbage, but Savoy is a nicer variety, and anything with pancetta is okay in my book.

    This recipe sounds much better than a Molly Wizenberg recipe I saw a while ago where the cabbage was braised in a bath of heavy cream. Much as I admire Molly, I am not wasting butt-space on cabbage.

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  18. U have some wonderful cook books but more than that i lovee that u use them well and chose deliciously!!
    We make a sav cabbage the local goan way too and love sav cabbage!
    This is wonderfully delicious way to get around this and pancetta adds a wonderful touch!
    And yeah , want to wish ya a wonderful brite Super sunshine new year with lodsa of loveee and huggies , soooo happy to make ya happy too:-)

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  19. Yum, I do love cabbage and am always looking for new ways to prepare it. This preparation looks easy to put together and full of flavor from the pancetta.

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  20. Thanks for the introduction to Jack Bishop's book, Barbara! I love cabbage and savoy is a favorite. With the pancetta it must be wonderful!

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  21. When I saw that the recipe for cabbage, I didn't think I was interested. But then I saw the photo and, wow! It looks just great.

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  22. What a wonderful sounding cabbage recipe! Pancetta = delicious!

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  23. what a great way to eat cabbage, i love all of the flavor in there!

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  24. There should be more books about vegetables...sometimes we don't know how to cook them creatively !! Yours is a very good recipe..I must use more cabbage!!

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  25. What a delicious cabbage dish. I definitely want to try this.

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  26. I'm going to look for this book. This is really pure simplicity - the best way to prepare vegetables.

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  27. Hi Barbara,

    The savoy cabbage dish looks delicious and will be a nice combination with the pancetta.
    Thanks for sharing.

    happy week
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  28. What a wonderful cabbage dish!
    I haven't seen this cookbook before now; I'm going to find a copy for myself. Thanks Barbara.

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  29. I'm definately going to try this recipe. I love cabbage!

    Talking of cookbooks I have a giveaway on my blog here at http://hollygrovekitchen.blogspot.com/2011/01/cook-book-clearance.html

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  30. What a wonderful side. I'm going to keep my beady little eyes open for that book.
    *kisses* HH

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  31. Sounds like a great book. I love vegetables but do find that I often prepare them the same way. This cabbage dish sounds fantastic.

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  32. I had forgotten about this cookbook! What a delicious recipe, easy to prepare. Savoy is such a pretty cabbage, too. I'm looking down your list of all-time favorite cookbooks--Idone's Glorious Food was an important one (back in the day!) in my evolution as a cook and caterer.

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  33. I love savoy cabbage, this sounds so delicious with pancetta, excellent!

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  34. Now that is one vegetable that I do not like, but my husband loves it...maybe the pancetta and onion could do the trick for me, I might have to give it a try! :))

    Happy New Year!

    Hugs ~

    :) T

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  35. I need more delicious ways with vegetables, and this book sounds GREAT!! This is a delicious dish Barbara... YUM!

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  36. Cookbooks like this are such hidden gems, aren't they? This one sounds fantastic, I'll be on the lookout for it since I'm always looking for new ways to prepare veggies! This cabbage dish looks fantastic, I love how there are only a few ingredients and they seem to really heighten each other's flavor.

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  37. savoy is the wat to go - nice texture and visually very appealing - the pancetta takes it over the top...delish!

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  38. This makes cabbage look yummy!

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  39. This is perfect for the weather we're having here right now. I am soooo wanting this right now!

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  40. This cabbage dish is enjoyed in my family with a slightly different twist. We swap out the bacon for Italian sausage...yummy. You can't go wrong with savoy cabbage...very mild and not disturbing as some other varieites.

    This book sounds very interesting...it's really too bad about the lack of photos...I'm very visual and this would really bother me. A while back, I was given a Martha Stewart book that was imageless...and I unfortuantely abandoned it. Now, I feel bad...I may just browse through it once more before passing it along ;O)

    Flavourful wishes,
    Claudia

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  41. i require photos--they're the deciding factor as to whether or not i'll be making a dish!
    now, as for cabbage, i find it...tolerable. toss in some pancetta, though, and things change. :)

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  42. IF I could, I would eat a whole head of cabbage!!! I certainly can polish off a whole head of cauliflower broccoli!!! BARBARA! YOU CAME TO VISIT ME TODAY and I thank you for such kind words. ANd yes, BRAVERY is of utmost importance to overcome whatever fears we as maturing women could have. LET US MARCH FORWARD AND SHATTER THE FEARS and just do what we dream of!!!! ENJOY! Anita

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  43. Wow this sounds delicious! Savoy cabbage and pancetta here I come! I can appreciate cabbage gone gourmet! (This is a cookbook I would luv to check out...)

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  44. oh wow this sounds amazing...printing this one off right now...

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  45. What a wonderful, easy side dish. Cabbage often gets over-looked for much beyond coleslaw. Thanks for reminding us just how versatile it is.

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  46. I think this is a wonderful cookbook to have in a cookbook library. I am planning to add this one to mine.

    Love cabbage. I rec'd two fresh heads from a
    co-worker and I am thinking this recipe would be delightful.

    Velva

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  47. I'm always slightly skeptical about cabbage, not being a huge fan of it, but then I also enjoy recipes where it will use food that isn't my favorite and incorporate it into a wonderful meal. This is very tempting to try, Barbara... :)

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  48. What a lovely looking dish and I love healthy dishes like this after the Christmas indulgence! :P

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  49. Happy New Year, Barbara!

    This seems like a must read book with vegetable recipes I need to cope with my Christmas and New Year overloaded unhealthy food!

    Thanks for the brief book introduction and I am looking forward to your future posts :-)

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  50. I've taken this book out of the library before and LOVED it so I can attest to it's awesomeness. Love the way this cabbage was prepared! usually I don't find cabbage recipes to be intriguing but with the pancetta added in...it's definitely a keeper!

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  51. Hi Barbara!!! Happy New Year!!! Goodness gracious, that dish of cabbage looks delicious!

    Thank you so much for sharing. I'll be checking that book out...

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  52. I would love to give this a try ~ Sounds divine

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  53. This sounds amazing. I adore savoy cabbage. And did you say pancetta? :)

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  54. I love sauteed cabbage. It is one of my favorite winter vegetables. This sounds delicious. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  55. How am I missing you, Barabara??? I love your site and hate missing your posts! Savoy Cabbage cooked with pancetta and onions or bacon and onions or just shredded and cooked (like butter) is one of my favourite cooked vegetables. So easy, so simple, so delicious and nutritious. I LOVE it. Thanks for the reminder to put it on my list. I haven't seen any at the market lately and must ask!
    :)
    Valerie

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  56. We do like cabbage and this recipe sounds delicious. I going to check my library for this cookbook. It's my new "thing"--check before buying. We'll see if it helps reduce my addiction to cookbooks. I rather doubt it.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  57. Oh I never know what to do with cabbage- this looks great!

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  58. Barbara, this cabbage sure sounds and looks delicious with pancetta...easy and so so tasty ;-)

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  59. I am a big cabbage lover. I wish my husband was...I'd hate to have to eat this all by myself.LOL! But I'm sure I could do it, given the chance. It sounds wonderful!
    All of the recipes you share sound so good. I am a fair cook (not great, just fair) but my daughter's are all great cooks, and that surprises me all the time. It didn't come from me.
    I love your blog Barbara! I have learned so many things here. My daughters would all love it too.
    I hope all is well with you. Thank you for coming by, it is always great to hear from you.
    hugs

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  60. I am a big cabbage lover. I wish my husband was...I'd hate to have to eat this all by myself.LOL! But I'm sure I could do it, given the chance. It sounds wonderful!
    All of the recipes you share sound so good. I am a fair cook (not great, just fair) but my daughter's are all great cooks, and that surprises me all the time. It didn't come from me.
    I love your blog Barbara! I have learned so many things here. My daughters would all love it too.
    I hope all is well with you. Thank you for coming by, it is always great to hear from you.
    hugs

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  61. Barbara - This sounds like a book I need to add to my collection! I'm always looking for new ways to serve up veggies to my family of picky eaters.

    Love the cabbage with pancetta.

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  62. I love cabbage and this sounds like a wonderful way to prepare it! This sounds like a book I need to own!

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