Red cabbage stewed with apple
6 servings
120 minutes
Red cabbage stewed with apple is a traditional German dish that captivates with its vibrant color and rich flavor. This cabbage simmers in wine with spices, acquiring a sweet-sour hue from apples, wine vinegar, and brown sugar. Star anise, cinnamon, and thyme add aroma, turning this dish into a cozy winter treat. It pairs perfectly with meat dishes, especially duck or pork, enhancing their depth of flavor. In Germany, this cabbage is often served at Christmas alongside hearty meat dishes. Soft and rich with a hint of caramel, it becomes not just a side dish but a true centerpiece on the table.
1
Prepare all the ingredients.
2
Chop the cabbage.
- Red cabbage: 0.5 piece
3
Peel the red onion and slice it into thin half-rings.
- Red onion: 1 head
4
Remove the core with seeds from the apple and cut it into cubes.
- Apple: 1 piece
5
In a large heavy skillet, heat vegetable oil, add onion, and fry, stirring, for 10 minutes.
- Vegetable oil: 2 tablespoons
- Red onion: 1 head
6
Add cabbage, apple, and sauté everything together for another 5 minutes.
- Red cabbage: 0.5 piece
- Apple: 1 piece
7
Pour in the wine, add sugar, vinegar, star anise, cinnamon, thyme, and 500 ml of boiling water.
- Red dry wine: 250 ml
- Brown sugar: 75 g
- Red wine vinegar: 50 ml
- Anise (star anise): 2 pieces
- Cinnamon sticks: 1 piece
- Thyme: 2 sprigs
8
Salt, cover with a lid, and simmer on low heat for about 1 hour and 20 minutes until the cabbage is very soft.
- Salt: to taste
9
30 minutes before the cabbage is done, remove the lid and check: if all the liquid has evaporated, add a little water. In the end, remove the thyme sprigs, cinnamon, and star anise.
- Thyme: 2 sprigs
- Cinnamon sticks: 1 piece
- Anise (star anise): 2 pieces
10
Serve on its own or as a side dish to stewed or fried meat or duck.