Embrace the Chill: The Ultimate Ham and Cabbage Soup for Cozy Winter Days
There are some mornings that just feel magical. Yesterday was one of them. Waking up in Kansas City, I was greeted by a pristine blanket of snow, transforming the ordinary into something truly breathtaking. What struck me most wasn’t just the beauty, but the sheer surprise of it. In an age where every weather fluctuation is tracked and announced with zealous precision across our phones, computers, and social feeds, an unexpected snowfall feels like a rare gift, a moment snatched from the fast-paced modern world. For a brief, delightful instant, I felt like a child on Christmas morning, pure joy overriding any thought of the cold. It was a perfect, unadulterated surprise.
Such a morning undeniably called for one thing: a warm, soul-soothing bowl of comfort food. And in my culinary playbook, a snowy day and a hearty soup are an inseparable, perfect pairing. My mind immediately drifted to the leftover Ham & Cabbage Soup I had prepared recently for the National Pork Board’s “Cooking For Comfort” ECookbook. This isn’t just any soup; it’s a cherished favorite, a recipe I turn to again and again throughout the colder months. Its secret lies in the wonderfully flavorful homemade ham broth, a game-changer that elevates simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience. It’s incredibly easy to make, yields a generous batch perfect for freezing, and is the quintessential meal for those chilly days when only true comfort food will do.
Beyond sharing this beloved recipe, I’m thrilled to announce a special giveaway! We’re giving away 10 copies of the “Cooking For Comfort” ECookbook right here on the blog. So, as you delve into the recipe below, be sure to also find out how you can enter to win a copy for yourself and a friend. It’s the perfect companion to explore more heartwarming dishes for the season.
The Heart of the Bowl: Why This Ham and Cabbage Soup Delivers Pure Comfort
Before we dive into the exciting giveaway details, let’s talk more about what makes this Ham and Cabbage Soup truly exceptional. For those who might typically shy away from cabbage or have never ventured into making homemade ham broth, prepare to have your perceptions delightfully challenged. These two ingredients, the undisputed stars of our recipe, are nothing short of superb when combined in this comforting concoction.
The cabbage, often underestimated, cooks down beautifully to a tender, mellow texture. Its mild flavor is not only incredibly satisfying but also perfectly complemented by the rich, savory notes of the ham broth. And let’s not forget its impressive nutritional profile! This recipe calls for an entire head of cabbage, ensuring that each spoonful is packed with wholesome goodness. It provides a wonderful thickness and heartiness to the soup without adding excessive calories, making it a delightfully filling and guilt-free meal. Cabbage is a powerhouse of vitamins (especially C and K), fiber, and antioxidants, contributing significantly to a healthy diet. It’s a fantastic way to sneak in a substantial serving of vegetables that even the most reluctant eaters might enjoy when nestled within this delicious broth.
Unlocking Flavor: The Secret to Superior Homemade Ham Broth
However, the true secret weapon, the ingredient that transforms this soup from good to extraordinary, is undeniably the homemade ham broth. Discovering the magic of ham broth in my twenties was, quite frankly, a revelation. It has since become my absolute favorite broth to cook with, and for good reason. Unlike many store-bought broths, homemade ham broth boasts a natural, inherent saltiness and an unparalleled depth of flavor that is simply amazing. It infuses the entire soup with a robust, smoky richness that cannot be replicated with chicken or vegetable broths alone.
Making your own ham broth is not only incredibly easy but also remarkably inexpensive. The process typically involves simmering a few smoked ham hocks in water with some aromatic vegetables for several hours. This slow, gentle cook time allows all the wonderful flavors to meld and develop, yielding a golden, savory liquid that is bursting with character. Imagine the aroma filling your kitchen as it simmers – it’s a comforting experience in itself! The effort is minimal, yet the payoff in terms of flavor is immense. If you haven’t tried it, I implore you: you absolutely must give it a go. It is the very essence of comfort food, bottled and ready to elevate your culinary creations.
Using homemade ham broth deepens the umami notes and provides a foundation that transforms every other ingredient. While chicken broth can be a substitute, it simply won’t offer the same distinctive, hearty flavor that makes this Ham and Cabbage Soup so memorable. So, carve out a few hours on a lazy weekend to prepare a batch of ham broth; you can even freeze it in smaller portions for future use. Your taste buds, and your family, will thank you.
A Culinary Journey: The “Cooking For Comfort” ECookbook and Giveaway
Speaking of comfort food, I am incredibly excited to share more about the “Cooking For Comfort” ECookbook, a project from the National Pork Board that truly celebrates the warmth and joy of home cooking. This cookbook is a treasure trove of recipes designed to bring solace and satisfaction, especially during the colder months. I am honored to have contributed a recipe to this wonderful collection, joining a stellar lineup of culinary talents.
The ECookbook features contributions from a bunch of my favorite food bloggers, alongside acclaimed chefs like James Beard Award winner Michelle Bernstein and BBQ expert Ray Lampe. Each recipe is crafted to inspire warmth and togetherness, making it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to create delicious, comforting meals. It’s a testament to the power of food to nourish not just our bodies, but our souls.
To celebrate the spirit of comfort food and this fantastic resource, we are giving away 10 copies of the “Cooking For Comfort” ECookbook! It’s the perfect way to discover new favorite recipes and share the joy of cooking with loved ones. So, here’s your chance to expand your culinary repertoire with dishes designed to soothe and satisfy.
Cheers to comfort food and the cozy months ahead! I hope that you are all staying warm, finding joy in simple pleasures, and savoring delicious meals this holiday season.
“Cooking For Comfort” ECookbook GIVEAWAY
How To Enter:
To enter this exciting giveaway, simply leave a comment below sharing your FAVORITE kind of comfort food. We’ll be selecting 5 lucky winners, and each will receive two copies of the ECookbook, which will be mailed directly to you. This means you can keep one for yourself and share the joy of cooking with a friend or family member! (Winners will be chosen randomly, and this giveaway is open to US residents only.)
Good luck to everyone!
Ham and Cabbage Soup
Average: 4.6 from 9 reviews
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 servings
Description
This heartwarming Ham and Cabbage Soup is brimming with savory, comforting flavors. Not only is it incredibly delicious, but the generous amount of cabbage also makes it wonderfully nutritious and filling.
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced or shredded ham
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 large carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 cups ham or chicken broth*
- 1 2-pound head cabbage, cored and roughly diced
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large saucepan or small stockpot over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the finely diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften and become translucent, which typically takes about 5 minutes.
- Next, add the diced carrots, celery, and minced garlic to the pot. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the carrots and celery are crisp-tender, usually around 3 minutes.
- Stir in the diced ham, the ham or chicken broth, the roughly diced cabbage, and the two bay leaves. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a full boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover the pot, and allow it to cook until the cabbage is perfectly tender. This should take approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
- Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Before serving, remember to remove and discard the bay leaves. Serve hot and enjoy!
- *To make homemade ham broth: Combine 2 smoked ham hocks, 1 whole carrot, 1 celery stalk, 1 onion (quartered), 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon of whole peppercorns, and 4 quarts of water in a large stockpot. Bring the mixture to a boil over low heat, then reduce it to a very gentle simmer. Cover the pot and cook until the meat effortlessly falls off the ham hocks, typically 3 to 4 hours. Once cooked, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve to remove solids. Season the prepared broth with salt and pepper to taste. This method yields approximately 3 quarts of rich, flavorful ham broth.
Disclaimer: This post and giveaway are sponsored by the National Pork Board. All opinions expressed are 100% my own, as always. I am truly honored to be a contributor to the “Cooking For Comfort” ECookbook and was delighted to share this experience and recipe with you. Your support for the brands that make this site possible is greatly appreciated.