Back in the 70’s there was Guy Welliver’s Smorgasboard in Hagerstown, Indiana.  It’s gone now, but back in the day they had the most wonderful food, we went on special occasions and it was unlike any smorgasbord you’ve ever eaten at.  Everything homemade, delicious midwestern dishes, homemade breads, the most decadent desserts and their specialty,  Scalloped Cabbage.

It was hubby’s very favorite dish, the man just adored it.  It was a simple dish, cooked cabbage, a Bechamel sauce, lots of cheese and toasted buttered crumbs on top.

I recreated it in my kitchen and it has been a favorite ever since.  It can be made ahead and baked at the last minute, it travels well, it’s just a great comfort food cabbage recipe.

4 cups cabbage, coarsely chopped
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup milk
8 ounces Velveeta Cheese, cubed

Boil cabbage in a dutch oven with salted water until tender, this takes approximately 15 minutes.  I have on occasion used chicken stock instead of water for a richer flavor.

Meanwhile, prepare the white sauce.  Melt butter over low heat, stir in flour, salt and pepper, cook over medium heat stirring constantly until smooth and bubbly, remove from heat.

Gradually stir in milk, heat to boiling, stirring constantly (a whisk works well); drop in the chunks of Velveeta and boil and stir 1 minute.

Pour drained cabbage in a 9” casserole, pour cheese sauce over the top and top with buttered bread crumbs.

Buttered Crumbs:

1 cup breadcrumbs (pulse torn pieces of bread in a food processor until fine
2-3 Tablespoons melted butter

Mix together and sprinkle over the top of the cabbage

Bake in a 375 oven approximately 30 minutes until casserole is bubbly and crumbs are brown

Note:  I’m a huge fan of Velveeta for cheese sauces.  I find that cheddar separates and is oily, but Velveeta melts into a Bechamel sauce beautifully.

Also, if you like a lot of sauce you might want to double the Bechamel.  This is one of those recipes that you just  play with and make it your own ~ Jan 

1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional

3 tablespoons cider vinegar (or any vinegar)

2 teaspoons honey

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon (freshly ground) black pepper

6 cups very thinly sliced green cabbage (or a mix of green and purple)

1 bunch green onions

Put the bacon in a wide, deep pot over medium heat, and cook until it is crisp; set aside on an absorbent surface.

Remove all but 2 tablespoons fat from the skillet, and add caraway seeds. Cook, stirring once or twice, about 1 minute, or until aromatic. Add cider, honey, salt and pepper and about half the cabbage. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is barely softened, about 3 minutes.

As cabbage cooks, mince green onions (discard root and any wilted tops).

Add remaining cabbage and green onions, and cook 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally, or until done to desired tastes. Crumble bacon, and stir into cabbage and serve.

Serves 4.

Nutrition data per serving: 198 calories, 6 grams protein, 19 grams carbohydrate, 6 grams fiber, 10 grams fat, 542 milligrams sodium.