Christmas Spiced Braised Red Cabbage
User Reviews
4.9
Christmas Spiced Braised Red Cabbage
Description
Christmas Spiced Braised Red Cabbage combines chunked red cabbage and finely chopped red onion cooked first with butter and a mix of whole and ground spices to release their flavors gently. Green apples add a bright fruitiness while brown sugar and balsamic vinegar provide sweetness and tang. The mixture simmers covered for nearly an hour to soften the cabbage without mushiness. Afterward, blackcurrant jam or cordial is stirred in and cooked down to intensify the glaze and add depth.
The dish offers a complex balance of sweet, tart, and warmly spiced notes with tender cabbage and softened apple pieces. It fits well as a side for roast meats or hearty winter fare, especially around Christmas due to the festive spices. The recipe suggests flexibility to omit spices for a milder version or substitute blackcurrant ingredients as needed.
Using blackcurrant jam thinned with boiling water is a good alternative if cordial is unavailable. The spice blend is customizable to personal preference, allowing for less pronounced flavor if desired.
Ingredients
- 1 red cabbage
- 1 red onion
- ½ tick butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 green apples
- 1 cinnamon stick - see note 1
- 1 star anise - see note 1
- 4 whole cloves see note 1, or ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg - see note 1
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup blackcurrant jam see note 2, or blackcurrant cordial
- 2 tablespoon water see note 2, boiling
Instructions
- Remove the core and any thick leaves from the red cabbage then, cut into a chunky shred and set to one side. (see post for pictures)
- Peel and finely chop the onion.
- Melt the butter in a large pan, over a medium heat and add the onion.
- Cook the onion in the butter for a 3-4 minutes, until soft but not coloured.
- Add in the cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves and nutmeg.
- Stir and set over a low heat.
- Add in the cabbage and sauté for 5 minutes.
- Whilst the cabbage is cooking cut the apple into quarters and remove the core, then cut into small chunks.
- Add the apple, brown sugar and vinegar and water to the pan. Bring to a simmer then reduce the heat to very low, place on the lid and cook for 50 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure it doesn't stick.
- After 50 minutes remove the lid and bring the liquid back to a simmer.
- Stir in the blackcurrant cordial or blackcurrant jam and boiling water and cook for 10 minutes or until all the liquid has evaporated.
- Remove the spices and serve immediately or chill and keep refrigerated for up to 3 days or in the deep freeze for 2 months.
Notes
- The blend of cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and nutmeg provides traditional Christmas flavors but can be omitted for a plainer cabbage dish.
- If blackcurrant cordial is unavailable, use ¼ cup blackcurrant jam thinned with 3 tablespoons boiling water as a substitute.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 173 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 173kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 30g | 10% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 15mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 160mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 353mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 22g | 44% |
| Vitamin A | 1370IU | 27% |
| Vitamin C | 62.9mg | 70% |
| Calcium | 71mg | 7% |
| Iron | 1.1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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