Lakra me Mish

When suggested to me that I have a go at making an Albanian cabbage stew (Lakra me Mish), this at first did not sound very appealing… I mean stewed cabbage in water, what about the smell? I do like cabbage, I like it quick boiled, drained, seasoned and served with my roast dinner but being boiled for a few hours? However three or fours time cooking this recipe and it’s now one of my favourites. The first time I made this, having not tasted it before, I followed the lead of my mother-in-law. During the winter many years ago her village would smell of boiled cabbage as everyone would harvest the cabbage and leave the cabbage stew boiling in large pots outside, if you didn’t grow cabbages yourself you defiantly knew when harvest time was here! I guess, the great climate to grow them and the cheapness made it a vegetable of choice in March. Created from basic ingredients the simplicity of making the stew, the seasoning of chilli flakes and paprika and the texture of soft cabbage and meat make it a satisfying meal.