Okay, so the other day I decided to tackle a classic – Corned Beef and Cabbage. I’ve heard so many folks rave about it, and honestly, I was always a bit intimidated to try making it myself. But let me tell you, it’s way easier than I thought, and the results? Freaking delicious!
First things first, I gathered up my ingredients. I got a nice piece of corned beef, a head of cabbage, some potatoes, and carrots. I also grabbed some beef broth and some pickling spices, ’cause that’s where the magic happens.
Now, for the corned beef, I rinsed it off under cold water. Some people say you don’t need to, but I like to get rid of some of that extra salt. Then, I put it in my big old pot and covered it with the beef broth. I tossed in the pickling spices, brought it to a boil, and then turned it down to a simmer. The key here is low and slow. You want that beef to get all tender and juicy, not tough and chewy.
While the beef was simmering away, I chopped up my veggies. I kept the potato chunks pretty big, ’cause I didn’t want them to turn to mush. I cut the carrots into nice, thick rounds and quartered the cabbage.
After a few hours of simmering, I checked the beef. It was getting there, but not quite fall-apart tender yet. So, I added in the potatoes and carrots and let it all simmer together for another hour or so. Then, during the last 30 minutes, I tossed in the cabbage. You don’t want to overcook the cabbage, or it gets all soggy and sad.
Finally, the moment of truth! I pulled that beautiful corned beef out of the pot and let it rest for a few minutes. This is important, ’cause it lets the juices redistribute, making the meat even more tender. Then I sliced it up, against the grain, and piled it high on a plate with all those delicious veggies.
My tips for next time?
- Grainy mustard on the side is a MUST. It just adds that perfect little zing.
- I might try shredding the corned beef next time. I saw some folks do that, and it looked pretty darn tasty.
- Boiled new potatoes are a classic for a reason, definitely want to add more of those next time I make this recipe!
Honestly, this Corned Beef and Cabbage turned out way better than I expected. It was so flavorful and comforting, and it made the whole house smell amazing. If you’ve been on the fence about making this, just go for it! You won’t regret it.
Post Comment