Nov 6, 2007
7
reviews
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Braised Red Cabbage with Bacon

The secret to cooking this dish, a classic German accompaniment to a hearty meat course, is in keeping the pot covered, which helps preserve the cabbage's deep, purple hue.
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Braised Red Cabbage with Bacon Credit: Ben Fink

6 slices bacon, roughly chopped
1 tbsp. sugar
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 large granny smith apple, peeled, cored, and
   coarsely chopped
1⁄3 cup port
1⁄4 cup red wine vinegar
1 large head red cabbage (about 3 lbs.), cored
   and finely shredded
2 cups Chicken Stock
1⁄4 cup red currant jelly

1. Cook bacon in a large wide pot over medium-high heat until just crisp, about 5 minutes. Add sugar and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds more. Add onions and salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden and soft, about 10 minutes. Stir in apples, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook until tender, 6–8 minutes.

2. Add port, vinegar, and cabbage to the onion–apple mixture; stir to combine. Cover the pot and cook until cabbage is bright purple and slightly wilted, 5–7 minutes. Add stock and salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook until cabbage is tender but still red, about 1 1⁄4 hours. Stir in red currant jelly, season with more salt and pepper, and cook briefly, 4–5 minutes more.


SERVES 6 – 8

Braised Red Cabbage with Bacon

This article was first published in Saveur in Issue #107

Ratings & Reviews (7)

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make this as a side with whole grain mustard spatzel with the duck and your a winner ! it's a delight for those that even dislike sauerkraut !!!
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This dish is amazing! We love it and our guests always rave about it.
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Covering the pot has nothing to do with the cabbage retaining its color. The anthocyanins in the cabbage are affected by the pH of the dish. Try this experiment; take a small amount of the cabbage when finished and sprinkle with salt. It'll turn blue. Add a small amount of vinegar and it'll turn back to purple.
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We'll just have to see how this red cabbage stacks up vs mine!!
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I have been looking for this recipe for years. What a wonderful side dish!
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Um, Devildog, I don't think they meant you should cover the pot to MAKE the cabbage bright purple. You should cover the pot so the cabbage will wilt and cook evenly. And as it cooks, it DOES turn brighter purple than the raw cabbage is.

So, when it turns bright purple, you'll know it's cooked enough to go on to the next step.

Oh, and I love, love, LOVE this recipe.
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THIS SOUNDS MUCH BETTER THAN MY OLD ONE - I WILL BE MAKING IT FOR AN OPEN HOUSE-BRING SOMETHING-IT WILL GO WITH THE HAM THEY ARE SERVUING.
THANKS AND
HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

JAN IN AZ
Braised Red Cabbage with Bacon 4 5 6 7

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