Yesterday I cooked up some ground pork and cabbage. This is a low carb twist on a classic Irish dish that uses potatoes. If you just got back from lifting weights at the gym, add the potatoes back into the recipe. Otherwise proceed as described.
Before I get to the recipe, I want to discuss the economics of this recipe. The pound of ground pork came from local pastured farm and cost me just $4. All the veggies and spices combined cost about $1.50. The total cost of this dish was $5.50 and it made 3 servings. That works out to less than $2 a serving. I could have added more onions or even potatoes if I wanted to stretch out the servings for even greater value.
Whenever the media reports that poor people can’t afford to eat healthy, I just shake my head in frustration. They are repeating the same old disempowering message, which is simply not true.
Summary: A low-carb twist on a classic Irish dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of ground pork
- 1/2 head of green cabbage shredded
- 4 thinly sliced carrots
- 1 sliced onion
- 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric
- 1 teaspoon salt
- black pepper to taste
- Lard, tallow or other healthy cooking oil
Instructions
- Heat up onions and carrots in skillet with cooking oil. (about 5 minutes)
- Add salt, turmeric, cabbage and pork.
- Cook until pork and cabbage are done (about 15 minutes)
Cooking time (duration): 25 min
Diet (other): Gluten free
Number of servings (yield): 3
Culinary tradition: Irish
Ed
Apr 16, 2011 — 1:48 pm
re:”The pound of ground pork came from local pastured farm and cost me just $4″.
Where from Mike?
It does sound like another good idea, I will try it.
MAS
Apr 16, 2011 — 3:07 pm
@Ed – Now that Thundering Hooves closed shop, I just put in an order with Blue Valley Meats.
Ed
May 31, 2011 — 5:53 pm
I decided to just buy some pork at the local Whole Foods. It turned out great and was a way better tasting dish with the pork then substituting beef like I tried last time.
Sue
Jan 26, 2012 — 10:45 am
I will try your recipe tonight, sounds delish!
Keep in mind ‘poor’ people may not have things you take for granted, IE: a working stove; the ability to get to a store that sells good produce and meat, especially in poor neighborhoods; The time/energy/ability to cook even this simple recipe, when it is much easier to get the $1 menu at the fast food chain.
They may also not have the $$ to get a full bottle of oil, or jar of spice, even though the amount used per meal is of little cost.
Jen
Feb 18, 2012 — 7:19 pm
Very good dinner. I also had grass fed local pork in the freezer, and wasn’t sure what to make. I’m eating more paleo now, and this was perfect thanks.
Marylou
Jun 26, 2014 — 11:30 am
I frequently browse for recipes when I get stumped on what to cook. I found your recipe while browsing. I have the pork and recently I purchased a cabbage….also I was amazed that I actually have Turmeric! The recipe sounds good and it is different from the typical meals we have.
Angela
Feb 16, 2015 — 3:35 pm
I love this simple recipe. lean Ground pork is my preference over beef any day of the week. I just bought a pound for $2.99 on special at Sprouts today, making this meal even more econimical. I do appreciate your message of empowerment. I’m with ya. Chopping my carrots and onions now! yum yum! ( i may have some brown rice with mine.)
vickie
May 4, 2015 — 1:15 pm
i don’t have turmeric and I don’t have any carrots. I could buy them both from the store but im short on time tonight. What can I used instead of the turmeric? and does this recipe have to have carrots??
MAS
May 4, 2015 — 2:35 pm
@vickie – Both are optional.
Amy
Jul 20, 2015 — 4:03 pm
I would just like to point out that this meal feeds 3 people for $5.50. Let’s say you have a family of 6, it would cost about $11. Since you feel that this is an inexpensive meal we will multiply $11 by 3 meals per day then by 7 days per week, this does not account for any snacks, the cost to feed this family would be $231. Or just shy of $1000 per month. We are not poor and I choose to spend money on healthy food for my family, but because of that choice we do not afford cable or smart phones. It is expensive to feed a family “healthy food” and some can truly not afford it, however most are not willing to make the sacrifices necessary to afford it. I make this same meal for my family on a regular basis. It cost me about $4 and I feed my family of 6, two meals from it. That is $0.34 per person. So yes, this can be a very inexpensive meal. My pork is not grass fed and my cabbage is not organic, but I think we will all live because we aren’t eating the dollar menu at McDonald’s.
MAS
Jul 20, 2015 — 4:25 pm
@Amy – I agree with you. When I wrote this post 4 years ago I was more concerned with making sure all my ingredients were the best quality. Today I factor in price much more. If I were at the store right now, I’d go for the $0.34 meal too.