Croatian Kale Savoy Cabbage Stew Kelj Cuspajz Recipes

CROATIAN KALE (SAVOY CABBAGE) STEW (KELJ CUSPAJZ)

Steps:

• Wash the savoy cabbage and cut it in 1 inch pieces.
• Preheat the water and when it boils put the savoy cabbage in it and leave it boil for one minute.
• During this operation prepare this: put lard in a pot, heat it and add finely sliced garlic and bacon (pancetta), brown flour in lard (but not too brown).
• Add ground paprika and just few drops of cold water to make "zafrig" (a kind of "sauce veloutè").
• Take out savoy cabbage with hollow spoon, add sliced potato in small cubes and water you have cooked kale in it.
• Season with salt and pepper and cook until potato is soft (10-20 minutes).
• Serve as a side dish to steaks, sausages, dried smoked ham etc.

SIMPLE SAVOY CABBAGE

Steps:

• In a large skillet or wok, heat the oil on med high.
• Add the garlic and peppers and saute for 1 minute.
• Add the shredded cabbage and stir fry for 5 mins, until starting to wilt.
• Remove from heat and add salt to taste.
• Serve.

CROATIAN LEEK STEW ( PORILUK CUSPAJZ")

Steps:

• Wash the leek very thoroughly (there might be some mud between the leaves) and cut them in 1 inch pieces (also the green parts, at least nice looking one).
• Preheat the water and when it boils put the leek in it and leave it boil for one minute.
• During this operation prepare this: put lard in a pot, heat it and brown flour in lard (but not too brown).
• Add grounded paprika and just few drops of cold water to make "zafrig" (a kind of "sauce veloutè").
• Take out leek with hollow spoon, add sliced potato in small cubes and water you have cooked leek in it.
• Season with salt and pepper and cook until potato is soft (10-20 minutes).
• Serve as a side dish to steaks, sausages, dried smoked ham etc.

CURRIED SAVOY CABBAGE SOUP WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Cut the savoy cabbage into wedges, core and shred it. Chop the onion. Remove leaves from the thyme sprigs. Peel and cube potato.
• Heat half of the butter in a high pan until butter melts. Lower heat and add the shredded savoy cabbage and onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add curry powder and mix. Add chopped potato, thyme leaves and stock. Increase heat, add a lid and cook on low/medium heat for 25-30 minutes.
• Slice the mushrooms and chop the parsley.
• Blend the soup with a hand blender. Add the cream. Check if more water or curry is needed. Season with salt and pepper if necessary. Warm the soup, but don't heat it too much, as the cream may curl (depending on the fat content of the cream and on the temperature you heat it).
• Heat the remaining butter in a skillet and fry the mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper. Add parsley when mushrooms are cooked.
• SERVE:.
• Pour soup into bowls and top with mushrooms.

NORTH CROATIAN KOHLRABI STEW (KOLORABA CUSPAJZ)

Steps:

• Peel kohlrabi like you peel apples. Remove leaves (don't throw away baby leaves, you can slice them and put into stew later) and cut kohlrabi like you cut potato for French fry potato, but just little bit thicker.
• Melt lard (or butter) in a pot, add flour and sauté it 1 minute. Add water and make creamy liquid. Add sliced kohlrabi and add water to cover the vegetable. Add salt and pepper and baby leaves if you want.
• Cook about 30 minutes or until kohlrabi softens.
• At the end add sour cream, stir well and serve.

QUICK KIDNEY BEAN SOUP WITH SAVOY CABBAGE

Steps:

• In a 4-quart pot, combine the water with the cabbage, beans, and olive oil. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and with an occasional stir, simmer the soup for 40 minutes until the beans are easily mashed with a fork.
• Using the back of a long-handled fork or spoon, mash some of the beans against the inside of the pot. (You can also remove about ½ cup to a dish and mash them then scoop them back into the pot.).
• Return the soup to a boil and add the pasta, rice and salt. Reduce the heat and continue to simmer, covered for 15 minutes then toss in the carrots, green beans and pepper.
• Simmer 10 more minutes until the vegetables are tender to your taste.
• Serve with some crusty bread.