Braised Red Cabbage

As the cold winds blow in winter, there’s one recipe I get excited for – braised red cabbage.  It’s so cozy and comforting when it’s freezing outside! The process of slowly cooking the cabbage allows delicious flavours to develop. The rich warm flavours make winter meals feel special. Braising cabbage brings out tastes you don’t normally associate with this veggie and  it gets sweet and tangy, losing any bitterness. The texture also changes from crisp to velvety soft.  Making braised red cabbage fills your kitchen with the best aroma too.  It’s a wonderful alchemy that takes simple ingredients and turns them into magic.  I think that’s perfect for the enchanting cold months.  Trying this tasty recipe will make your winter meals hearty, soul-filling delights.  It’s food that warms you from the inside out.

The Beauty of Braising

Braising means you cook something slowly in liquid so the flavours blend together and the food gets super tender.  Since red cabbage has a sturdy texture and distinct taste, it’s a great candidate for braising and  as it simmers for a while in a flavourful broth made with grated apple, vinegar and sugar, the cabbage transforms into something soft and sweet that balances the slight earthiness you expect from this veggie.   

Braised Red Cabbage

Author: tinygreenfork Cooking Method:Braising Courses:Sides Recipe Keys: Gluten Free S side

Difficulty:IntermediatePrep time: 10 minutesCook time:1 hour 45 minutesRest time: 40 minutesTotal time:1 hour 55 minutesServings:3 servingsCalories:300 kcal Best Season:Winter

Description

This braised red cabbage recipe highlights the fruitiness of apples, adding a mellow sweetness to balance out the bright tartness from apple cider vinegar. As the cabbage slowly cooks down, it becomes velvety soft while still retaining a bit of pleasant bitterness. The end result is a cozy, comforting side dish with depth of flavour.

Ingredients

• 1 medium cabbage
• 1 medium onion
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 apple
• 4 tbsp of granulated sugar
• olive oil or vegetable oil
• 80 ml apple cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Remove the hard stalk and finely chop the cabbage
   
2. Finely chop the onion and garlic
3. Grate the apple on the large side of the grater
4. In a large pan over medium high-heat add the oil, the garlic and the onion and cook for a few minutes until lightly golden
5. Add the cabbage and mix everything together. Cook for a few more minutes and add the apple. Let it cook for about 10 minutes mixing frequently.
   
6. Slowly add the sugar and apple cider vinegar and mix. Add salt and pepper to taste. Lower the heat, put the lid on and let it cook for around one hour and a half until tender.
   
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve warm.

Video

Notes

• This dish goes great with all kinds of plant-based meals. Serve it with a hearty quinoa and roasted veggie bowl or over some fluffy couscous for a nice one-dish dinner. It also makes delicious tacos when paired with sweet potatoes and black beans. Use your imagination and get creative with the pairings!
• You can prep the cabbage up to a day in advance and store it covered in the fridge until ready to reheat and serve.

Keywords:side dish, red cabbage