This is my grandmother’s recipe for mish me lakra, which translates to meat with cabbage. I don’t like big pieces of meat in my stew so I make it with bite size pieces of tender stew meat. You can use beef or lamb, whichever you prefer. We are not big meat eaters, so I don’t add a lot; you may use 1 lb of meat, more or less, though I use less. You can also make this meatless if you wish.
Growing up, this was one of the dishes my grandmother made that I really enjoyed. I am happy to share this with you today!
- 1 cabbage
- 1lb (less or more) stew meat
- 1 onion red or white
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 heaping teaspoons tomato paste
- 2 heaping teaspoons red pepper paste*
- salt
- olive oil
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes (or more if you like heat)
- 1 bay leaf
Put stew meat in a large pot with some olive oil and allow to cook on low heat along with the chopped onion, uncovered or covered, doesn’t matter. This allows the meat to become tender. Allow to cook like this for at least 20 to 30 minutes, making sure to check on it.
Meanwhile, peel the outer leaves of cabbage and discard. Remove core and discard. Cut the cabbage into bite size pieces and rinse.
My mom and grandma like to leave the cabbage in a bowl of boiling water for 10 minutes or so, and once the cabbage softens, drain the water.
By the time you do all this the meat is close to being ready, the water and oil should be separated by now. Now you can add the tomato and pepper paste, more olive oil if needed, paprika and chili flakes if using. Stir around and when you smell the pepper paste or flakes, add in the cabbage. Pour water over it until it just under the cabbage. Add a bay leaf.
Bring to a boil, season with salt and allow to simmer until cabbage is cooked; cook on low to medium heat. It takes about 2 hours for the meat and cabbage to get tender. Discard bay leaf.
Once done, enjoy with a fresh loaf of bread.
*You may use more tomato paste if you don’t have pepper paste.
Hi, Donika!
Another fab looking dish. Question, where would I find pepper paste? And what exactly is it?
Hubby loves cabbage and this looks so easy which is right up my alley!
🙂