Quarter the cabbage and cut out the stalk. Cut across into wide strips (about a finger`s width). Peel the potatoes and cut into pieces.
Leave the bacon in a large saucepan over low heat and brown lightly. Take out of the pot and sauté cabbage and potatoes in the fat. Pour enough broth into the pot to cover the bottom about 4 cm. Place the bay leaf and, if desired, a few peppercorns on top, close the lid and cook for around 25 minutes (11 minutes in a pressure cooker). Finally mix in the bacon cubes again. Season everything with pepper and a pinch of nutmeg.
Traditionally, sour cucumbers go well with it - but you don`t have to like it. If you don`t use bacon but smoked pork, simply let the meat simmer on top of the potato and cabbage mixture.