Helen Getz’s Napa Cabbage with Hot Bacon Dressing Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Fall

by: Amanda Hesser

November22,2010

4.7

3 Ratings

  • Serves 4 to 6

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Author Notes

I grew up eating my grandmother's salads with hot bacon dressing. She makes hers with escarole; my mother uses sweeter Napa cabbage (which, in retrospect, I have no idea how she found in our small town in Pennsylvania). Bacon dressings usually consist of crisp bacon, bacon fat and vinegar. But my grandmother’s is first thickened with flour, then loosened with not only vinegar but water, too. Then, when it all seems a little watered down and hopeless, you thicken it with egg, which creates a little magic in the dish –- concentrating the texture, amplifying the vinegar and whipping up a delicious foil for the salty bacon. —Amanda Hesser

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 1 Napa cabbage, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced (you’ll need 6 to 8 cups)
  • 8 thick slices bacon, cut into 1/ 4-inch lardons
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 2 tablespoons red wine or cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
Directions
  1. Place the cabbage in a large mixing bowl. Add the bacon to a medium sauté pan and set over medium heat. Render the bacon fat and brown the bacon, adjusting the heat as needed. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towel, then pour off all but 2 tablespoons bacon fat (approximate, don’t measure) from the pan.
  2. Set the pan over medium low heat. Add the flour and stir until smooth. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in the vinegar and water and bring to a boil. Season with the salt. Gradually – and slowly! – whisk this mixture into the egg.
  3. Sprinkle the bacon on the cabbage, then pour 3/4 of the dressing over the cabbage and toss to mix. Add more dressing as desired (I like a fair amount). Serve with grilled pork chops, roasted potatoes and beer.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Rhonda35

  • Nancy Lawson Mandoky

  • Amanda Hesser

  • allans

Recipe by: Amanda Hesser

Before starting Food52 with Merrill, I was a food writer and editor at the New York Times. I've written several books, including "Cooking for Mr. Latte" and "The Essential New York Times Cookbook." I played myself in "Julie & Julia" -- hope you didn't blink, or you may have missed the scene! I live in Brooklyn with my husband, Tad, and twins, Walker and Addison.

Popular on Food52

12 Reviews

Sherry G. August 25, 2014

As a little girl growing up on the farm, my mother made a hot bacon, vinegar dressing which she used on spinach, and I never asked her to copy down the recipe. Mom never used a recipe for anything, and I am ecstatic to find this recipe. Going to try this one right away on cabbage and spinach. Thanks you!

Amanda H. August 26, 2014

Now I want to try this with spinach!

Rhonda35 August 19, 2014

Thanks for adding this to the archives, Amanda! I tend to misplace my copy and my fudging ends up hit or miss. To this day, I am impressed that Gram and Mom can make this from memory. I think I'm going to try this dressing with kale or collards - I bet it softens them just the right amount. Also, as an aside, Mom used escarole for many years when we were kids and it wasn't till the 1980's that she got fancy and switched to napa cabbage. :-)

Amanda H. August 20, 2014

Oh, right, I forgot about the escarole. Like that version, too.

Muse December 5, 2013

What a great recipe...thanks for sharing it! Peace, Light and Love.

za'atar July 3, 2013

This is a great salad. Delicious!

Amanda H. July 3, 2013

Thank you!

Nancy L. February 6, 2013

I made this tonight! It's so delicious! I added just a smidge (1T) of sugar.

Amanda H. February 4, 2012

Thanks for your thoughtful -- and positive -- feedback!

biennourri January 24, 2012

Delicious! I'll try this with other greens as well.

allans January 15, 2012

Have made this for years with the addition of sweet onion, but without the egg or flour. Delicious!

innoabrd January 25, 2011

Somehow just got on a napa cabbage kick. That was fabulous!

Helen Getz’s Napa Cabbage with Hot Bacon Dressing Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Helen Getz’s Napa Cabbage with Hot Bacon Dressing Recipe on Food52? ›

Before using, discard any damaged or wilted outer leaves. Looser varieties, such as napa and bok choy, should also be rinsed to get rid of any dirt between leaves.

Do you rinse napa cabbage? ›

Before using, discard any damaged or wilted outer leaves. Looser varieties, such as napa and bok choy, should also be rinsed to get rid of any dirt between leaves.

How do you wash and dry napa cabbage? ›

Cabbage
  1. Remove the thick outer leaves of the cabbage head.
  2. Cut the cabbage into wedges.
  3. Rinse the wedges in a colander under running water.
  4. Shake them dry as best as you can, then pat them with a clean cotton towel to remove additional moisture.
Dec 7, 2023

How long will Napa cabbage last in the fridge? ›

Stored unwashed in the refrigerator, Napa is fresh up to a week. Wrapping in plastic wrap can help prevent wilting, and if a recipe calls for just part of a head, I would suggest just plucking the leaves from the outer layer instead of using a knife to chop it all at once.

Is it OK to eat Napa cabbage raw? ›

Do you eat napa cabbage raw or cooked? You can enjoy crunchy napa cabbage raw in salads, as a sandwich topping and as healthy wraps. The leafy vegetable is also a mainstay in stir-fries, soups, stews and casseroles. Napa is a great choice for pickling too.

Why is Napa cabbage so expensive? ›

Weather Condition

A significant reason for the rising price of cabbage is drought which makes it hard to grow the crop.

Is Napa cabbage good for you? ›

Napa cabbage has manganese, which has been shown to help prevent overly high blood sugar levels that can contribute to diabetes. Napa cabbage is also rich in Vitamin C, which helps to enhance our immunity. It consists of vitamin B6 which is responsible for dealing with number of emotional disorders.

Can you freeze fresh Napa cabbage? ›

Once it's washed and cut up, cabbage can be frozen, but for longer-term storage, it's best to blanch it first. Blanched cabbage can be frozen for up to nine months, while unblanched cabbage will only keep for one to two months.

How do you take the bitterness out of napa cabbage? ›

Blanch Them. Blanching your greens is key to getting that bitterness level down. Because glucosinolates are water-soluble compounds, a lot of them are leached out into the water, allowing for a less bitter green.

Why wash cabbage with vinegar? ›

Washing fruits and vegetables with vinegar kills up to 98% of bacteria on the surface of your produce. Use 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water for your vinegar bath. Soak fruits and veggies in vinegar bath for 2 minutes.

Can you use the outer leaves of Napa cabbage? ›

I washed and chopped up the outer leaves, I'll use those in a stir fry tonight. The outer leaves are a little tougher than the inside head. You can store the head of the Napa cabbage wrapped in an airtight container or plastic in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

How do you keep Napa cabbage crisp? ›

For longer storage, place heads inside a loose bag before putting them into the crisper. This will help them retain their moisture and crunch. They can store months like this. For Napa cabbage, you will want to store the full head unwashed in a plastic bag.

Does cabbage need to be rinsed? ›

Clean cabbage by removing the outer layer of leaves. Cut the cabbage head in quarters and then rinse under cold, running water. Do not wash cabbage until you are ready to use it.

How do you take the bitterness out of Napa cabbage? ›

Blanch Them. Blanching your greens is key to getting that bitterness level down. Because glucosinolates are water-soluble compounds, a lot of them are leached out into the water, allowing for a less bitter green.

Do you need to wash red cabbage before cooking? ›

Avoid any that have puffy leaves or outer layers removed. Red cabbages are easy to prepare. Strip off the outer leaves, wash, then slice into quarters, cut out the hard central core on each, then chop or shred.

Can you eat Napa cabbage leaves? ›

Eat napa cabbage raw or cooked. Thoroughly wash the leaves and remove and discard the core before using it. Raw napa cabbage works well in coleslaw, salads, or as a wrap. Use cooked napa cabbage in soups, stews, kimchi, or stir-fries.

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