Fried Cabbage with Creamed Tomatoes Recipe

 Part of the food culture in West Virginia is serving simple and inexpensive meals.  But don't be fooled.  Just because our food is cheap and inexpensive doesn't mean our flavor is.  In fact, my elders could take the cheapest, most simple ingredient like cabbage and turn it into something special.  For example take this Fried Cabbage with Creamed Tomatoes Recipe. On the surface it doesn't seem like much to write home about, but just wait until you put it in your mouth.  

Both fried cabbage and creamed tomatoes are a West Virginia staple in their own right, but together they just become something exceptional.  I can't wait to share this Mountaineer delicacy with you so...

Let's get started!  

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• 2 Tbsp Butter
• 1 Onion, diced
• 1 Head of Cabbage, cut into bite-size pieces
• 3 Tbsp Butter
• 3 Tbsp Flour
• 1 14.5 oz can of Diced Tomatoes
• 1 tsp Sugar
• 1/4 c Heavy Cream
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder 
• Salt and Pepper, to taste

WHAT IS CREAMED TOMATOES:

Creamed tomatoes is a simple recipe common in West Virginia and other southern states.  It's often referred to as tomato gravy.  My family always served the creamed tomatoes over toast, but It's also delicious over biscuits and cornbread.

It's one of those recipes that you don't expect to be good, but will always surprise you.  

DOES THIS HAVE TO BE SERVED WITH CABBAGE?:

No.  In fact this recipe is also quite good over fried potatoes, rice, noodles, as well as the toast, biscuits, and cornbread I mentioned earlier. 

TIPS FROM A WEST VIRGINIA GIRL:

If you have it, I can't recommend bacon grease for this in place of the butter enough.  It really enhances the flavor. 

HERE IS HOW I MAKE IT: