Fresh & Sweet Tomato Cabbage Rice Bowl
Create a Delightful Tomato Cabbage Rice Bowl Using Fresh Tomatoes and a Simple Sauce
This is a satisfying rice bowl recipe featuring plenty of cabbage and a flavorful tomato sauce. It’s a simple dish to prepare, yet packed with nutrients and wonderfully delicious. You’ll love the delightful balance of sweet cabbage and tangy tomatoes.
Ingredients- 1/4 head Cabbage
- 1 Tomato
- 1 to 1.5 cups store-bought Tomato Sauce
- 1/4 Onion
- 1 to 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- Sliced Ham (optional)
- Pinch of Dried Basil
- Pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare your vegetables. Slice the cabbage into pieces that aren’t too thin, about 1cm thick. If you slice it too thinly, it can become mushy when cooked, losing its pleasant texture. Thinly slice the onion and finely chop the fresh tomato. If you prefer not to have tomato skins, you can make a cross-shaped cut on the tomato, blanch it in boiling water, and peel it before chopping.
Step 2
I’ve used sandwich ham in this recipe, but feel free to omit it! Ham adds a satisfying richness, but the dish is also delicious and even healthier without it. If you’re mindful of your diet, consider using chicken breast products instead of ham.
Step 3
Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Once the garlic releases its aroma, add the sliced onion and stir-fry until it becomes translucent. If you like a bit of spice, you can add some chopped chili peppers at this stage. When the garlic is fragrant, add the ham and stir-fry briefly.
Step 4
After lightly cooking the ham, add the chopped tomato and continue to cook. You don’t need to cook the tomatoes for too long; the goal is for their flavor and juices to meld into the other ingredients. The way the tomatoes break down slightly and infuse the dish is part of the delicious appeal.
Step 5
Once the tomatoes are somewhat softened, add the sliced cabbage to the pan. Stir everything together to combine.
Step 6
Stir-fry until the cabbage just begins to wilt slightly. Then, pour in the tomato sauce. You can adjust the amount of tomato sauce according to your preference. I like to add enough so that the ingredients are well-covered, ensuring a moist and flavorful result.
Step 7
Stir and cook until all the ingredients are well mixed with the sauce. Adjust the cooking time based on your desired cabbage texture – cook longer for softer cabbage, or less for a firmer, crunchier bite. Finally, sprinkle with dried basil for an aromatic touch. If your tomato sauce already contains a strong basil flavor, you can skip this step. If you’re not a fan of herbs, feel free to leave it out entirely.
