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Comfort food (without the extra cushioning)

After writing yesterday's post, I had an idea: if I am really going to be a part of the solution, I should do more than just post one recipe (tasty and easy to prepare as it may be). Not that I am a great chef, or even a particularly good cook... but I am willing to experiment and inflict the results on my unsuspecting husband and dogs, and post the recipes that get the Capt Mike stamp of approval here for you to enjoy. (Dexter and Zeppelin do not have particularly discriminating tastes when it comes to what they eat, so their votes don't really count.)

Without further ado, I give you last night's dinner:

UnCorned Beef and Cabbage

1 lb inside round beef roast
1 tsp coarse ground pepper
1 tsp coarse salt
2 Tbsp mustard seed
2 bay leaves
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 lb baby potatoes
2 large carrots, coarsely chopped
1 head green cabbage, cored and shredded
Pickled beets and mustard for garnish

1. Combine salt and pepper, and rub over entire roast.
2. Place roast in a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot. Cover with water (or beef stock/water mixture for added flavour). Add remaining spices, and heat to a boil. Reduce heat and cover to let simmer for 40 min.
3. Add carrots and potatoes to pot, and continue cooking for 5 min.
4. Add cabbage to pot, and continue cooking until the root vegetables are tender when pierced with a fork (about 5-10 min).
5. Remove from heat, and strain meat and vegetables from liquid. A small amount of liquid can be reserved as an "au jus" to pour over the meat.
6. Slice roast thinly, and serve on a bed of cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. Garnish with mustard, pickled beets, or other condiments of your choice.

Notes about cabbage
Cabbage is extremely high in vitamins C and K, even after cooking. It is also a great source of dietary fibre and folic acid. When choosing a cabbage in the store, look for one with crisp, tightly packed leaves that are not cracked. Avoid storing your cabbage already cut or shredded, as this will decrease its vitamin C content.