RED CABBAGE WITH APPLES

[Guest]

RED CABBAGE WITH APPLES

Serves 8 as Side.

• 2 lb red cabbage
  
• 2/3 c red wine vinegar
  
• 2 T sugar
  
• 2 tsp salt
  
• 2 T goose fat or bacon drippings
  
• 2 medium cooking apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/8-inch wedges
  
• 1/2 c finely chopped onions
  
• 1 whole onion, peeled and pierced with 1 whole clove, optional
  
• 1/2 bay leaf
  
• 4 c boiling water
  
• 3 T dry red wine
  
• 3 T red currant jelly
  

Wash the head of cabbage under cold running water, remove the tough outer leaves and cut the cabbage into quarters. To shred the cabbage, cut out the core and slice the quarters crosswise into 1/8-inch wide strips.

Drop the cabbage into a large mixing bowl, sprinkle it with the vinegar, sugar and salt, then toss the shreds about with a spoon (or your hands) to coat them evenly with the mixture.

In a heavy 4- or 5-quart casserole or Dutch oven, melt the goose fat or bacon drippings over moderate heat. Add the apples and chopped onions and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes, or until the apples are lightly browned. Add the cabbage, the whole onion with clove, if using, and the bay leaf; stir thoroughly and pour in the boiling water.

Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally, and reduce the heat to its lowest possible point. Cover and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the cabbage is tender. Check from time to time to make sure that the cabbage is moist. If it seems dry, add a tablespoon of boiling water. If there is too much liquid, turn up the heat to evaporate it quickly. When the cabbage is done, there should be almost no liquid left in the casserole.

Just before serving, remove the onion and bay leaf and stir in the wine and the currant jelly. Taste for seasoning, then transfer the contents of the casserole to a heated platter or bowl and serve.

Keywords: Side, Easy, Vegetables

( RG776 )