When you are in a hurry to prepare dinner, this easy, three-ingredient meal does the trick. Always have a can of corned beef in your pantry and you’ll be prepared. Add staples of cabbage and onions and you can stretch that small can of corned beef to feed a group.
Onions and cabbage transform the beef into a favorite dish by adding sweetness and texture.
To “corn” meat means to cure in salt and spices, therefore preserving it. So this dish needs no additional seasoning.
I prefer the onions cut in wedges from top to stem. In this shape, they retain their shape better than onions cut against the grain. Cut the cabbage into large 1-inch chunks, so they will keep their shape and be a nice contrast to the corned beef.
Don’t cook the vegetables until they’re soft — they should maintain their texture to make this combination interesting.
If you like spice, add chopped chili peppers when you add the last batch of cabbage. Or just serve the dish with chili pepper water or your favorite hot sauce.
Stretch dinner even more by serving with poi or rice. Top with an easy-over egg for a variation.
CORNED BEEF, CABBAGE AND ONIONS
By Lynette Lo Tom
- 1 (12-ounce) can corned beef
- 2 large onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup water, if needed
- 1 head (about 10 cups) cabbage, cut into 1-inch pieces
In a large, dry skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook corned beef until heated, about 5 minutes.
Add onions and continue cooking until onions are almost translucent, about 10 minutes.
Add water, if needed so the mixture does not burn.
Add cabbage in batches and cook until tender. It will seem that you have too much cabbage, but it will shrink. Cook until cabbage is tender but still firm. Enjoy with poi or hot rice. Serves 6 to 8.
Approximate nutritional information, per serving (not including poi or rice): 220 calories, 9 g total fat, 3.5 g saturated fat, 50 mg cholesterol, 550 mg sodium, 19 g carbohydrate, 6 g fiber, 10 g sugar, 19 g protein.
“Easy Kine” features simple dishes that start with commercially prepared ingredients. Lynette Lo Tom is excited to hear your tried-and-true suggestions. Contact her at 275-3004, email lynette@brightlightcookery.com or via instagram at brightlightcookery.
