Grilled Napa Cabbage

Napa cabbage, or in Holland better known as Chinese cabbage. As a kid we would eat it a lot at home, as the main ingredient for a chinese stew 'Lion's head'. It was more like a stew kinda soup form napa cabbage with meatballs. I always figured that the meatballs are probably the lion heads. The name of the dish is a direct translation from the Chinese name for the dish.

Normally if we had napa cabbage at home, we would eat Lion's head. After the many and many years of eating this dish, I got bored with the flavor and texture of the cabbage. I always thought it was such a shame. Because the cabbage is easy to get by, cheap and versatile. In the last months I've tried many different ways of using and preparing these huge white chinese cabbage.

My cousin in LA made it with rehydrated dried shrimps and fish sauce. I tried slicing it thinly and adding it to soups and salads. A few days ago I came across an article about Chinese vegetables. They we're talking about Bok Choy and the versatility. There was this great picture of grilled Bok Choy. It never occured to me to grill a cabbage! So I figured giving the napa cabbage a try. It surprised me! The smokiness the grilling gives the cabbage is the best addition.

Grilled Napa Cabbage
inspiration (in Dutch)
2 tablespoons of soysauce
2-3 tablespoons of sesameoil
seasoning
1/2-1 napa cabbage, this depends on size and mouths to feed.
For our family of 5 I use 1/2 of a large napa cabbage.

Cut the cabbage lengthwise. Make sure the bottom is clean. Now cut it into 3 or 4 wedges, trying to keep the stem intact. This will keep all the leaves together and makes it easier to handle. If necessary rinse the leaves and dry off. Heat a grillpan on the stove, on high heat until it starts to smoke lightly. Sprinkle the sesame oil on the cabbage and put the cabbage in the pan. After a minute or 4 turn, keep repeating until all the sides are grilled. The cabbage will turn from white and solid to glassy and soft. Then you know the cabbage is done. Sprinkle over the soysauce and season well. Mix together and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Now you can leave it like this, let everybody cut their own piece. Or just chop it up into bit size pieces. Your cabbage, your choice! This napa cabbage recipe is a great vegetable dish, enjoy with rice and other yumminess!