Braised Red Cabbage with Apples and Balsamic

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a bit of cooking cabbage that's not boring? Honestly, this Braised Red Cabbage with Apples and Balsamic is proper lush. It's sweet, tangy, and dead comforting, innit?

Brief Overview

This braised red cabbage recipe is inspired by German Rotkohl . It's surprisingly easy. Prep takes about 20 minutes, then it simmers away for 1 hour 30 minutes.

It serves about 6, perfect for Sunday roast.

Main Benefits

Cabbage recipes healthy are always a winner. Cabbage is packed with vitamin C. This dish is perfect for Christmas dinner. What makes it special? The balsamic glaze just elevates the whole thing.

Let's Talk Ingredients

First, you'll need a medium red cabbage. I like mine around 2 lbs. Slice it thinly. Next, grab a large onion and slice that too.

Don't forget two medium apples, Granny Smiths are my go-to. You will also need olive oil, butter, balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, caraway seeds, cinnamon, cloves, salt, pepper, and vegetable broth.

That's your lot!

You can also try other Cabbage Recipes like this.

Let's Cook!

We're going to start by sautéing the onion in olive oil and butter. Cook till it is softened, about 5- 7 minutes.

Don't let it brown, mind. Stir in the apples and spices, cook another 2- 3 minutes. Add the cabbage, toss it about, then deglaze with balsamic and apple cider vinegar.

Add brown sugar, salt, pepper, and broth. Give it a good stir.

Slow Braising is Key

Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender.

Stir it occasionally, you don't want it sticking. Taste and adjust the seasoning. More salt, pepper, or balsamic if needed.

You will be getting closer to having authentic Chinese Cooking .

Tips and Tricks

Slice the cabbage thinly. Use a mandoline if you have one. Don't skip the balsamic! It's key. Low and slow is the name of the game.

Taste as you go, adjust accordingly, innit?

Also, I recommend trying German cabbage recipes , they are amazing.

Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get This Show on the Road!

Alright, you fancy cooking cabbage , yeah? This braised red cabbage recipe is seriously easy peasy. No need to stress about being a culinary wizard.

We’re aiming for cabbage recipes healthy and packed with flavour. Let's gather our bits and bobs.

What You'll Need: The Main Players

• 1 medium red cabbage (about 2 lbs / 900g ). You want it quartered and sliced thinly. Honestly, the fresher the better. Give it a good sniff - should smell earthy and clean.
• 1 large onion (about 8 oz / 225g ). Thinly sliced too, mate. Any kind will do, even red onions.
• 2 medium apples (about 10 oz / 280g total). Granny Smith or Braeburn are ace. Makes the red cabbage recipes easy to succeed.
• 2 tablespoons olive oil ( 30 ml ).
• 2 tablespoons butter ( 30 g ). Proper butter, mind!
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar ( 60 ml ). Don't skip this - it's crucial for that tangy flavour.
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar ( 60 ml ).
• 1/4 cup brown sugar ( 50 g ). Packed. Light or dark, your call.
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds ( 2 g ). Trust me on this one.
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon ( 1 g ). Adds a bit of warmth.
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves ( 0.5 g ). Just a touch.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt ( 3 g ). Or to taste, obviously.
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper ( 0.5 g ). Or to taste.
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth or water ( 120 ml ). Low sodium one is healthier.

Seasoning Secrets: Spice Up Your Life!

Caraway, cinnamon, and cloves are the magic trio here. They're like a warm hug for your braised red cabbage recipe .

No caraway? A pinch of fennel seeds will do. Taste as you go, you know? It's your dish. Balsamic vinegar is not up to par? add red wine vinegar to the Rotkohl recipe .

Tools of the Trade: Equipment Needed

• Large Dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot with a lid. This is essential. If you don't have one, a really good stock pot will do in a pinch.
• Sharp knife. Duh!
• Cutting board. Again, obvious.

That's it! No fancy gadgets needed. Ready to rock and roll? Let's get cooking cabbage ! Enjoy these German cabbage recipes influences in my version of the classics like Asian Cooking .

Braised Red Cabbage with Apples and Balsamic: A Proper Comfort Food Classic

Honestly, sometimes you just need a hug in a bowl, right? This braised red cabbage recipe is exactly that. It is the perfect side dish that brightens roast dinner or festive feast.

It’s inspired by traditional German Rotkohl recipe , but with a little modern twist. It's easy peasy to make. Plus, the whole house smells amazing while it's cooking cabbage .

Prep Like a Pro

First things first: Get your mise en place sorted. Chop that cabbage, slice the onion, and dice those apples. Time saving tip? I love using a mandoline for the cabbage side dish recipes because it gives you super thin, even slices.

Just be careful not to slice your fingers! Also, measure out all your spices and liquids before you start Chinese cooking .

It makes the whole process flow much smoother.

Braising Made Easy: step-by-step

1. Sauté the onions in olive oil and butter until they are soft. About 5- 7 minutes over medium heat.
2. Stir in diced apples, caraway seeds, cinnamon, and cloves. Cook for 2- 3 minutes .
3. Add the sliced red cabbage. Toss it all together.
4. Pour in balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and vegetable broth. Stir, scraping the bottom.
5. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 1 hour 30 minutes , stirring now and then.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning. More salt? Pepper? A splash more balsamic? You be the judge!

Pro Tips for Amazing Cabbage Recipes Healthy

Low and slow is the name of the game. Keep that heat low to avoid burning. Taste, taste, taste! Braising time varies.

Adjust seasoning (salt, pepper, acid) accordingly. Can you make this ahead? You betcha! It tastes even better the next day.

Seriously, it’s a game changer with the Chinese cooking recipes that I've been exploring recently. I even tried it in one of the Asian cooking experiments.

So, what do you reckon? Fancy giving this a go? Trust me; it’s worth it. This red cabbage recipes easy dish will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Maybe even thirds. Now, go on. Get in that kitchen and start cooking cabbage !

Recipe Notes for Braised Red Cabbage Brilliance

Right, before you get going with this absolute belter of a dish, let's have a chinwag about a few things, shall we? Think of these as my little whispers of wisdom, gleaned from many attempts at cooking cabbage to perfection.

Serving Suggestions: Making it Look and Taste Amazing

Alright, so you've got this amazing Braised Red Cabbage dish. Now what? Presentation matters, you know? Think rustic charm. Serve it in a nice earthenware bowl.

A sprinkle of fresh parsley never hurt anyone.

For a cracking meal, pair it with roast pork. Honestly, the sweet and sour thing is a match made in heaven.

A pint of proper cider goes down a treat too. Bang on.

Storage Tips: Keeping the Cabbage Fresh

Honestly, leftovers are your friend with this cabbage side dish recipes . The flavors just get better. Once cooled down, shove it in an airtight container.

It'll happily sit in the fridge for up to 3 days. Fancy freezing it? Go for it. Just portion it out first.

When reheating, a gentle simmer on the hob with a splash of water does the trick. Or blast it in the microwave.

Just keep an eye.

Variations: Making it Your Own

Fancy a twist? Try adding a bit of orange zest and juice. It’ll give a lovely citrusy kick. For a veggie version, it’s already pretty much there.

Just make sure your butter is plant based.

If you're trying to keep an eye on those carbs, maybe reduce the brown sugar a little. You know?

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in a Bowl

This Rotkohl recipe (the German version, you know) is actually pretty good for you. Red cabbage recipes easy version are packed with vitamins and fiber. Fiber is your friend, trust me.

The apples add a bit of sweetness without being too naughty. Keep it as a Cabbage recipe healthy option. It contains Roughly 150-180 calories. Protein: 2g and Fat: 7g per serving.

So there you have it. My little guide to smashing this Braised red cabbage recipe . Go on, give it a whirl and let me know how you get on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cook this cabbage dish ahead of time?

Absolutely! Braised red cabbage is actually even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld together, just like a good stew. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days and simply reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Perfect for a bit of "batch cooking" on a Sunday, innit?

How do I store leftover cooked cabbage?

Storing leftover braised red cabbage is a doddle. Once it's cooled completely, pop it into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. It'll happily sit there for 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage (up to 2-3 months); just thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Easy peasy!

What if my braised red cabbage is too sour or too sweet?

Don't panic; it's an easy fix! If it's too sour, add a little more brown sugar (a teaspoon at a time) to balance the acidity. If it's too sweet, add a splash more balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Taste as you go until you reach that perfect Goldilocks "just right" balance. You're the boss!

Is this cooking cabbage recipe healthy?

Red cabbage is packed with vitamins and antioxidants, so it's a great choice! This recipe also includes fibre rich apples. To make it even healthier, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar or use a sugar substitute, and go easy on the butter. Remember, everything in moderation, even comfort food!

Can I adapt this recipe for cooking cabbage in a slow cooker?

You certainly can! Sauté the onions and apples as instructed in the recipe first. Then, transfer everything to your slow cooker, give it a good stir, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The low and slow method really intensifies the flavors, making it taste like Grandma's secret recipe.

Just check the seasoning before serving!

What are some good variations when cooking cabbage using this recipe?

Fancy giving your braised red cabbage a twist? Try adding a handful of dried cranberries or raisins for extra sweetness and texture. A pinch of smoked paprika can add a lovely smoky depth, or a bay leaf thrown in during cooking adds a subtle savory note.

Get creative and experiment with your favourite flavors - it's your kitchen, after all!