Homemade Cabbage Soup & Meatball Sandwiches

Today is my son’s 12th birthday so he decided to go out for dinner to his favorite pasta restaurant.

Since it is the weekend and his birthday  I decided to make a nice , but budget friendly lunch.

I noticed that I have a head of cabbage lying around so what better way to use it then making my homemade cabbage soup with bacon.

For my Cabbage Soup with Bacon you’ll need: medium size green cabbage, large onion, 1/2 lbs of bacon, caraway seeds, 2 Tbsp Olive oil, 2 Tbsp flour and salt and pepper to taste.

In a large pot heat olive oil, add finely sliced onion and bacon cut up into strips.  Saute it all together till the bacon is almost done and onion is soft and golden. Slice cabbage into thin strips and add it to the pot. Let it saute and occasionally stir it. When cabbage is little softer (not done) dust it with  flour, stir well. Add caraway seeds, salt and pepper and fill it with water (you can use vegetable stock). Cook for about 2 hours on low heat. You can also add a little bit of garlic (I do) for a better taste. You’ll smell when the soup is ready.

What goes great with homemade soup? Sandwiches, of course especially if you have some leftover pasta sauce. I decided to make my son’s favorite Leftover Meatball Sandwich. I used my husband’s secret family pasta sauce and meatballs from the previous night. He guards his recipe and hopefully one of these days he’ll let me in on it…

For my Leftover Meatball Sandwiches you’ll need: Italian or Ciabatta Buns, garlic butter, leftover meat sauce and meatballs, Provolone or Asiago cheese (good old cheddar or mozzarella will do the trick as well and they are much cheaper).

Cut the buns in half, spread garlic butter on each half, cover with meat sauce. Cut the meatballs in halves and layer them on top of the sauce, cover with slices of cheese. Put in the oven and broil on low till the cheese bubbles. Take it out of the oven and ENJOY! Don’t forget to serve it with a side of napkins.