Steaming Veggies: Cabbage & Carrots, A Healthy, Tasty Treat

Steamed cabbage and carrots is a quick, easy, and healthy dish that can be served as a side or even as a main course. The recipe is simple: heat some oil in a pan, add shredded cabbage and carrots, and optionally some garlic, and steam until tender. The entire process should take around 10-20 minutes, depending on your preference for crunchiness. This dish is a great way to use up any spare cabbage you have lying around, and it's also a cheap and tasty option for a meal.

How to prepare the ingredients

The first step in preparing steamed cabbage and carrots is to gather all the necessary ingredients. For this dish, you will need:

• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Bell peppers
• Onion
• Garlic
• Dairy-free butter or regular butter
• Oil (coconut, olive, or any other type of your choice)
• Thyme
• Salt and pepper
• Vegetable stock (optional)

Once you have all the ingredients, it's time to start prepping!

For the cabbage, you will need to shred or slice it. The amount of cabbage you use will depend on how many people you are serving. As a guide, a medium-sized head of cabbage, shredded, will serve around 4-6 people. If you are using a large head of cabbage, you may only need half.

Next, prepare the carrots. You can cut them into matchsticks or julienne strips, or slice them into rounds. The amount of carrots can also be adjusted to your preference, but generally, you will need around 1-2 cups of shredded or sliced carrots for this dish.

If you are using bell peppers, onion, and garlic, chop or mince them finely. You can adjust the amount of these ingredients to your taste preferences, but typically, you will need around 1-3 peppers, 1 small-medium onion, and 3-4 cloves of garlic.

Now, you are ready to start cooking! Heat some oil in a large pan or pot over medium heat. You can use coconut oil, olive oil, or any other cooking oil you prefer. Add the chopped onion and garlic to the pan and sauté until they are soft and tender. This should take around 3-5 minutes.

At this point, you can also add some spices and herbs to the pan. This might include thyme, black pepper, allspice, or Scotch bonnet pepper (if you like it spicy!). Give the spices a quick stir to release their flavours.

Now it's time to add the carrots and bell peppers to the pan. Give everything a good mix and cook for a further 2-3 minutes.

Finally, add the shredded cabbage to the pan. This might look like a lot at first, but don't worry, the cabbage will reduce in volume as it cooks. Place a lid on the pan and let the vegetables steam. Depending on how crunchy or soft you like your vegetables, the steaming time can vary from 6-15 minutes.

And that's it! You have successfully prepared the ingredients for steamed cabbage and carrots. Now, all that's left to do is season the dish to your taste and enjoy your delicious, healthy meal!

The best type of cabbage to use

When it comes to choosing the best type of cabbage to use for steaming, there are a few factors to consider. The most popular choice for a classic Jamaican-style steamed cabbage is white cabbage. This variety is widely available and provides a firm texture when cooked. It is important to avoid leafy types of cabbage such as savoy or bok choy, as they tend to wilt and become soggy during the steaming process.

For a Jamaican-style steamed cabbage, the use of white cabbage is essential to achieving the desired texture and flavour. However, if you are open to experimenting with different types of cabbage, there are other options available. You can opt for green cabbage, which is commonly used in ball-shaped form and provides a similar cooking time to white cabbage. Alternatively, you can try napa cabbage, also known as Chinese cabbage, but be mindful that it requires a shorter cooking time to avoid wilting.

When selecting the cabbage, look for a medium to large head with fresh, crisp leaves. Avoid any heads with wilted or discoloured leaves, as this may affect the taste and texture of your dish.

Additionally, you can customise your steamed cabbage dish by including other vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, and garlic. These ingredients not only add flavour but also provide a colourful and appetising presentation.

The best type of carrots to use

When it comes to choosing the best type of carrots to use for steaming, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, it is recommended to use fresh carrots as opposed to frozen ones. This is because fresh carrots tend to have a better texture and flavour after steaming. In terms of variety, standard large carrots or medium carrots are commonly used. This is likely due to their convenient size, which makes them easy to peel and chop into uniform pieces.

The size and thickness of the carrot pieces will affect the cooking time and texture of the final dish. For even cooking, it is important to cut the carrots into pieces of roughly the same size. The ideal thickness will depend on your preference for the texture of the steamed carrots. Thicker pieces will take longer to cook and will result in a firmer texture, while thinner pieces will cook faster and may be softer.

When preparing the carrots, you can choose to peel them or simply rinse them thoroughly to remove any dirt. Peeling the carrots will give them a smoother appearance and may enhance their texture. However, it is not strictly necessary, especially if the carrots are fresh and have been thoroughly cleaned.

In terms of colour, orange carrots are the most commonly used variety and will work well for steaming. However, other colours such as purple or white carrots can also be used if desired. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the carrot variety.

Overall, the best type of carrots to use for steaming are fresh, standard or medium-sized carrots that have been cut into uniform pieces. This will ensure even cooking and a desirable texture. With the right preparation and cooking technique, your steamed carrots will be delicious and nutritious!

How long to steam the vegetables for

The cooking time for steamed cabbage and carrots will depend on your preference for texture. If you like your vegetables to retain a slight bite, 6-7 minutes should be enough. For crunchier cabbage, 10 minutes or less is recommended. If you prefer softer vegetables, you can steam them for up to 15 minutes.

For the Jamaican-style steamed cabbage and carrots, the total cooking time is around 20 minutes. This includes sautéing the garlic, onion, and other spices for about 3 minutes before adding the carrots and bell peppers. After adding the cabbage, cover the pot and allow it to steam in its own juices for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. You can adjust the cooking time according to your desired texture and turn off the stove when it reaches your preferred consistency.

Similarly, for the garlic cabbage and carrots recipe, the total cooking time is around 17 minutes. This includes heating the butter and adding the cabbage, carrots, and garlic for about 10 minutes before adding the hot water and cooking gently for an additional 6-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still have a slight bite.

It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the vegetable slices, as well as the heat level and the type of cookware used. Therefore, it is always a good idea to keep an eye on your vegetables while they are cooking and adjust the timing accordingly.

How to serve the dish

As a Side Dish

This dish makes a great side, pairing well with a range of meals. It is a perfect accompaniment to a roast chicken dinner, sausages, oven fries, mac and cheese, jerk recipes, curry goat, salmon fritter, and braised cabbage, to name a few!

As a Main Dish

If you are seeking an alternative to rice, this dish can be served as a main. You could also add in some extra vegetables, such as cauliflower, leeks, broccoli, or mushrooms, to bulk it out.

As a Starter

This steamed cabbage dish also works well as a starter or appetiser, especially in Caribbean cuisine.

With Meat

Meat-eaters might like to try this dish with jerk chicken, pan-fried chicken thighs, or brown stew chicken. It also goes well with saltfish, oxtails, or braised pigtail.

With Other Sides

Try serving your steamed cabbage and carrots with rice and peas, cornbread, or coleslaw.

With a Drink

Wash your meal down with a Banks beer or a Jamaican Ginger Beer.

Frequently asked questions