Cabbage soup – or in some places also called as cabbage flower or cauliflower – is a type of vegetable that is easy to eat and loved by many people. You can boil, steam, stir-fry, make soup or even grill cabbage, they are all delicious. In Vietnam, there are two types of cabbage: green and white. Basically, these two types do not differ much in terms of nutrition and taste; however, green cabbage is preferred because it is crisper and more tender.
1. Buying
Both green and white cabbage do not grow in the same season; the season with plenty and best tasting green cabbage is from late July to late October, while white cabbage is mainly harvested from mid-December to mid-April every year. You should buy the right type of cabbage when they are in season to get the freshest and most delicious cabbage.
For both green and white cabbage, you need to choose a type with a fresh and uniform color. The color is a good recognition sign that helps you determine how fresh the cabbage is. The whiter the white cabbage, the fresher it is, and the same goes for the green cabbage. In addition, when you touch the cabbage, you need to feel that they are still firm and solid; soft cabbage means it has withered.
2. Preservation
For white cabbage, the best way is to use a perforated plastic bag to store and keep them in the refrigerator or a cool place, avoiding direct light – with this method, you can keep them fresh for a few days. For green cabbage, you should use a sealed plastic bag to store and keep them in the refrigerator.
3. Preparation
For any cooking method, you should also cut the cabbage into pieces of equal size to ensure that they are cooked evenly. Only take the upper part of the flower, discard the hard stem at the bottom.
When washing cabbage, you need to wash them thoroughly under strong running water.
4. Cooking
– White cabbage can be used directly in salads or served with other vegetables such as carrots, celery… to dip with a sauce to create a delicious appetizer. The best cooking method to keep white cabbage’s shape intact is steaming. With every cooking method, you need to pay close attention not to overcook the white cabbage as it will have an unpleasant strong taste that makes the dish less appealing.
– Green cabbage is best suited for stir-frying due to its crispness and tenderness. If possible, you should try stir-frying green cabbage with melted butter or olive oil to get the freshest and most delicious taste. In addition, green cabbage also goes well with garlic, and before turning off the heat, you should add a few drops of sesame oil to the stir-fry with green cabbage and stir well to create a special aroma for the dish.
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