How to.. Chinese Cabbage/Leaves :low fat & carb, vegan wallet friendly, easy, high fibre

Both  Photos from Stock

Chinese Lettuce (also known as Napa Cabbage) is a lettuce-like leaf with a hard base and core which keeps well in cold temperatures.  It's like a cross between lettuce and celery, and adds plenty of fresh healthy fibre to your winter diet. 

The leaves are pale and tightly wrapped; they have crisp, broad, white ribs lined with frilly tops and edges that reduce in size as you get closer to the centre. Both ribs and frills are succulent with a delicate, mild, sweet flavour and they are equally tood stir-fried or raw in a salad.

They're highly recommended.

Chinese Leaves are about the same price as romaine lettuce but go much further.  Chinatowns are the freshest source; the price of a large Chinese Cabbage will come in at about £3 -- it keeps well but not forever.  If your household is small, 67 recommends going halvsies with another singleton or couple.  

UK supermarkets M&S, Waitrose and Sainsbury's stock Chinese Leaves but their offerings are smaller and lower priced. 

  

Prep is easy peasy.  Remove bottom 1.5 inches; separate leaves; blanche in a 9:1 solution of water and vinegar.  Flatten the frilly bits to make sure the water gets at them.  After 20 mins, drain and rub the inner white core lightly with a damp paper towel.  Keep refrigerated wrapped in paper towels in a plastic bag until ready to use.

Shred the frilly bits and finely slice the white core.  To cook, add to a hot lightly oiled pan and stir fry OR try the recently updated Salmon, Chinese Leaf, Chilli & Sweet Garlic Sauce.  

In summer, Chinese cabbage is ideal for make-ahead salads -- no sorry-looking wilted specimens here.  Prep as for cooked leaves;  add cucumber and a simple vinaigrette or a creamy yoghurt-y dressing for a tasty side, OR use as a base for something more complicated.  Nuts, seeds and fruit (fresh or reconstituted dried) provide something texturally stunning. 

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This recipe has been developed by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.