Roasted Cabbage Steaks (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

01 - 1 large green or red cabbage
02 - 3 tablespoons olive oil (or melted butter for richer flavor)
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
06 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
07 - 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
08 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
09 - Optional toppings: grated Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, fresh parsley

# Instructions:

01 - Start by setting your oven to 400°F (200°C). While it's heating up, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents the cabbage from sticking and makes cleanup much easier. If you don't have parchment paper, you can lightly grease the baking sheet with a bit of oil instead.
02 - Take your cabbage and remove any wilted or damaged outer leaves. Place the cabbage on a cutting board with the core end down for stability. Using a sharp chef's knife, carefully slice the cabbage crosswise into ¾-inch thick rounds or "steaks." Try to keep the core intact in each slice as it holds the cabbage layers together during cooking. Depending on the size of your cabbage, you should get about 4-6 good steaks from the center portion.
03 - In a small bowl, combine the olive oil (or melted butter if you prefer a richer flavor), garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until they form a smooth, aromatic mixture. The smoked paprika gives these steaks a subtle smoky flavor that complements the natural sweetness of roasted cabbage beautifully.
04 - Arrange your cabbage steaks on the prepared baking sheet, then use a pastry brush to generously coat both sides of each steak with your seasoning mixture. Take your time with this step to ensure every bit of the cabbage gets flavored. If you don't have a pastry brush, you can carefully drizzle the mixture and spread it with the back of a spoon.
05 - Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and roast the cabbage steaks for about 25-30 minutes total. After the first 15 minutes, carefully flip each steak using a wide spatula to ensure even browning. The cabbage is ready when the edges turn golden brown and slightly crispy, while the center becomes tender. The natural sugars in the cabbage will caramelize, creating delicious flavor complexity.
06 - Once roasted to perfection, remove the cabbage steaks from the oven and let them rest for a couple of minutes. If desired, sprinkle with your choice of toppings like freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, or some chopped fresh parsley for color and brightness. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy as a satisfying side dish or even as a vegetarian main course.

# Notes:

01 - These roasted cabbage steaks transform an humble vegetable into a flavorful, steak-like dish with caramelized edges and a tender center.
02 - For variety, try different seasoning blends like Italian herbs, curry powder, or za'atar for completely different flavor profiles.
03 - Any leftover cabbage pieces that don't form complete steaks can be tossed with the same seasonings and roasted on a separate pan for delicious roasted cabbage bits.

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