Description
A delicious, elegant, and sophisticated Caramelized Cabbage with Creamy Cashew Balsamic: tender, roasted cabbage topped with a rich, tangy cashew sauce and a sweet-salty date-walnut crunch. A perfect vegan side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ large cabbage, sliced into 3–4 wedges
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- ¾ cup raw cashews
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- ½ tbsp honey
- ½ tbsp mustard
- 1 garlic clove
- ⅓ cup chopped dates
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- ¼ cup chopped scallions
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Caramelize the Cabbage: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Sear cabbage wedges on each side for 3–4 minutes until browned. Flip wedges upright, add vegetable broth, cover, and transfer skillet to the oven for 15–20 minutes. Remove cover and bake an additional 5–10 minutes until cabbage is tender and liquid is evaporated.
- Make the Cashew Sauce: Blend cashews, water, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, salt, pepper, honey, mustard, and garlic in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, combine dates, walnuts, scallions, parsley, lemon zest, and salt.
- Serve: Place cabbage wedges on plates, drizzle with cashew sauce, and sprinkle the date-walnut topping over the top.
Notes
- Cabbage Searing: Searing the cabbage wedges first is crucial for achieving deep caramelization and flavor before the cabbage softens in the oven.
- Cashew Prep: For the smoothest sauce, soak the raw cashews in boiling water for 15 minutes before blending. Ensure your blender is high-speed.
- Roasting Liquid: Adding vegetable broth and covering the skillet prevents the cabbage from drying out and ensures it steams to tenderness in the oven.
- Make Ahead: The cashew sauce and the date-walnut topping can be made 1–2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Flavor Boost: Add a teaspoon of grated fresh ginger to the cashew sauce for an extra warming, complex flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting, Searing, Blending
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: ~310 kcal
- Sugar: ~13 g
- Sodium: ~260 mg
- Fat: ~24 g
- Saturated Fat: ~3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: ~22 g
- Fiber: ~5 g
- Protein: ~6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Caramelized Cabbage, Cashew Sauce, Date Walnut Topping, Roasted Cabbage, Gourmet Side, Vegan Cabbage, Fall Side Dish, Sweet Savory, Healthy Side, Holiday Side