How to blanch cabbage

How to blanch cabbage

How to blanch cabbage

by Great British Chefs8 December 2014

How to blanch cabbage

Most cabbage varieties are suitable for brief boiling or 'blanching'. Blanching preserves the colour of the leaves while achieving a tender crunch.

1
Peel the leaves from the cabbage. Leave whole or thinly shred if preferred
2
Heat a pan of salted water and bring to the boil
3
Add the cabbage leaves in batches and cook for 2–3 minutes until the leaves have softened slightly, but are still vibrant in colour
4
Remove the cabbage and refresh in iced water to stop the cooking process
5
Drain in a colander

Variations

Blanched cabbage leaves are useful for rolling and encasing foods – like Graham Campbell’s Vegetarian haggis – as the partial cooking of the leaves helps to make them more flexible.

Uses

Blanched, shredded cabbage is often tossed with butter, thyme or quickly pan-fried with some crispy pancetta. It is often served alongside braised and roasted meats such as oxtail, partridge or pork belly.

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