Recipes in January

For Christmas I got three cookbooks and quite a few "kitchen" gadgets.
I make Charlie try all the new things I cook and so far he says last nights was the best.
Here are some photos and the recipes.

Braised cabbage

• 3 ounces applewood-smoked bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces

• 1/2 onion, sliced

• 1 carrot, peeled and thinly sliced diagonally

• 1 leeks (white and pale green parts only), halved lengthwise then cut crosswise into 3/4-inch pieces

• 8-ounce head of cabbage, cored, cut into 1/2-inch ribbons

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 1/4 cup dry sherry

• 1/2 cup chicken stock or vegetable stock

• 2 cloves garlic, crushed

• Sprig of thyme

DIRECTIONS

To prepare the braised cabbage:
Sauté the bacon in a heavy large wide pot over medium heat until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a plate. Add the carrots, onions and leeks to the same pot and sauté until the leeks soften, about 3 minutes.

Separate the cabbage leaves, add the garlic and thyme and add them to the pot. Cook until the cabbage wilts, stirring often, about 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the sherry and simmer until most of the liquid evaporates, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Add the stock and bring to a simmer.

Cover the pot and simmer over medium-low heat until the cabbage is tender, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes. Stir in the cooked bacon and season the mixture to taste with salt and pepper.

Funeral Potatoes
(this is from memory, so I hope it's right!)

Two 1lb. bags of frozen potatoes
1 pint sour cream
1/2 cup butter
1 onion
2 cups cheddar cheese (grated)
2 cans of cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup of crushed corn flakes
1/2 tsp of salt

Pre-heat oven to 350. Cook chopped onion in 1/2 cup of butter in skillet. Pour Cooked onion, sour cream, cheese, soup, salt with potatoes (in a large mixing bowl) by hand. Spoon mixture into a pan 9x13 (it looks like it wont fit, but smush it down). Pour crushed cornflakes over the top and cook for 40-50 minutes. Wahlaa!

Charlie's Steak.
It was delightful.