The Inspiration of Urb’n’Spice Series

Sometimes inspiration can be derived from necessity. Have you ever gone to the grocery store to purchase a specific ingredient or item and it ends up to be something entirely different than what you expected? This recipe was developed due to a case of mislabelling. I actually needed to buy mild Italian sausage, however, the package was mislabelled and I bought a spicy version instead. Not wanting to waste food, my original meal plan was altered to accommodate this Spicy Sausage and I created the following Spicy Sausage and Cabbage Fry with Greek Yogurt Sauce.

The ingredients for this dish have originated from all over the world: Hot Italian sausage; Chinese Napa cabbage; Canadian mushrooms; Greek yogurt sauce and Asian inspired seasonings. It all comes together into a balanced fusion dish. I encourage you to try it as it is a delicious, quick and nutritious meal.

Spicy Sausage and Cabbage Fry with Greek Yogurt Sauce

CHEF TALK: Napa cabbage is a great choice for this dish as it is a tender cabbage. I added it to the frying pan with the heat off to just heat through without wilting (See Method). Try this as it adds texture to the dish. If hot Italian sausage is not something that you typically use, try half and half mild and hot Italian sausage or just use mild sausage. The delicious Greek yogurt sauce (similar to Tzatziki) helps temper the heat from the hot Italian sausage and adds a refreshing tang to the dish.

This dish is gluten-free and grain-free (I buy gluten free sausage). I also buy lactose-free Greek yogurt, so using that particular item also makes this dish dairy free.  This is also a Blenditarian dish (U.S.) and Blend-and-Extend dish (Canada), meaning that the meat mixture is extended with the use of minced mushrooms.

Spicy Sausage and Cabbage Fry with Greek Yogurt Sauce

Yields:  4 – 6 generous servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lb. (454 g) hot (or mild) Italian sausage (or a mixture of both), removed from casings
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
• 6 oz. (170 g) Cremini mushrooms, minced
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small head Napa cabbage, thinly shredded (about 6 cups)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• ¼ cup thinly sliced chives or green onions
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• Small flour tortillas (gluten-free if necessary), as needed
• Greek yogurt sauce (recipe below)

METHOD:

1. Remove the sausage from its casings and place in a large frying pan with the olive oil. Cook the sausage over medium heat, breaking up the meat into small pieces as it cooks. Continue cooking until the meat crumbles are browned and crisp (about 6 minutes or so). Add a bit more oil if necessary.
2. Add the minced mushrooms, ginger, and garlic to the pan and cook together with the sausage meat until the vegetables are softened (about 3 to 4 minutes).
3. Turn off the heat. Add the thinly sliced cabbage and toss to mix through the meat mixture. The residual heat from the frying pan will cook the cabbage. If you prefer a softer vegetable, cook the cabbage in the meat mixture for 2 – 3 minutes or until the cabbage is wilted.
4. Add the rice vinegar, soy sauce and sesame oil.
5. Add the finely sliced chives or green onions and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

TO SERVE: Warm the flour tortillas for a few seconds in the microwave by wrapping in a tea towel or paper towel on a plate. Place a large spoonful of Spicy Sausage and Cabbage Fry in each tortilla. Drizzle the Greek Yogurt Sauce on top. Sprinkle with additional sesame seeds and sliced chives for garnish. Enjoy!

GREEK YOGURT SAUCE

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup (250 ml) plain Greek yogurt
• ½ cup English cucumber, finely shredded or minced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped green onion or chopped chives
• ½ teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
• 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
• ½ teaspoon onion salt, optional

METHOD:

1. In a small bowl, combine all of the ingredients together and mix thoroughly. Taste for seasoning and adjust to your taste if necessary with salt and pepper. Refrigerate the Greek Yogurt Sauce for an hour before serving.

Here is your step-by-step procedure in photographs of how to make Spicy Sausage and Cabbage Fry:

LEARNING TIPS:

Please CLICK the link above to access my Urb’n’Spice LEARNING TIPS, which are listed alphabetically on the Learning Tips blog post under the following subheadings:

• Favourite Kitchen Tools: Spatula
  __________

You Might Also Enjoy these Urb’n’Spice recipes:

Meat Turnovers in Shortcrust Pastry

Turkey Mushroom Jarlsberg Burger

Sloppy Joes

Egg Rolls – Exposed in a Bowl

Savoury Blenditarian Brunch Pork with Vegetables and Fine Herbs

If you try my recipe for Spicy Sausage and Cabbage Fry with Greek Yogurt Sauce, please leave me a comment below with your feedback. Don’t forget to pin this recipe for later!

Denise Paré-Watson

The Urb’n’Spice Chef

 

Follow me on Social Media

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Did you Make my Recipe?

Tag me @urbnspice on Instagram and hashtag #urbnspice

This recipe was adapted from Epicurious inspiration