If there is one dish I have to make at Christmas it is this one, forget the sprouts, stuff the turkey (sorry I couldn’t resist that gag), but for me Christmas wouldn’t be the same without braised red cabbage. I love the taste, I love the colour, but most of all I love how the aromas of cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg fill the house and make it smell and feel like Christmas. Plus it’s really easy to make and it’s a great make ahead dish for Christmas and beyond!
I usually make this on Christmas eve. It’s delicious with roasted duck and mashed potato (recipe for this coming soon!!) and brilliant reheated the next day and served with turkey and all the trimmings. This recipe makes at least enough for 6 people for 2 days, if not more. Making it on Christmas eve means that’s one Christmas dish I’ve got done and out of the way before Christmas Day has even started. Plus having those gorgeous, Christmassy aromas wafting through my house really puts me in the mood for Christmas!
To reheat the red cabbage on Christmas Day is a doddle: just place the cabbage in a saucepan and add about 100 ml water. Heat gently with a lid on until the cabbage is hot (about 5 minutes) and serve! Easy Peasy!
Braised Red Cabbage
Ingredients
- 500 g red cabbage sliced finely
- Salt and pepper
- 2 small red onions or 1 large one, diced finely
- 1 large Bramley apple diced finely
- 1 clove garlic diced finely or crushed
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 cloves ground
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespooons red or white wine vinegar
- 10 g butter
Method
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Prepare all your ingredients as directed above. Mix together the ground spices and brown sugar in a bowl. Preheat your oven to 150C
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Arrange about a quarter of the cabbage at the bottom of a large casserole dish
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Sprinkle over about a third of the onions, a third of the apple, a third of the garlic and a third of the sugar and spice mix. Add a few twists of salt and pepper.
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Add another layer of cabbage, followed by another layer of onions, apple, garlic, spices, salt and pepper.
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Repeat a third time and then top with the remaining red cabbage.
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Pour over 3 teaspoons of red or white wine vinegar (this will help preserve the colour of the cabbage, so don’t miss this step out!) and dot with approximately 10g of butter.
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Put a tight lid on the casserole dish (use foil if you don’t have a lid) and cook in your pre-heated oven for 2 ½ hours, stirring spice during cooking time.
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Serve immediately or leave to cool then store in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two.
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To reheat, simply place in a saucepan with approximately 100ml water and heat gently with a lid on until the cabbage is hot (about 5 minutes).
I’m linking this up to Recipe of the Week, Cook Blog Share, Tasty Tuesdays, Festive Food Fridays and Cook Once Eat Twice.
Mmm, love this Eb. We’re off to my parents this Christmas so I think I’m going got offer to make this for the meal and take it with it and reheat it as you suggested it sounds delicious, Pinning.
Angela x
Thanks, Angela! It is a brilliant make ahead recipe. It honestly tastes just as good reheated the next day – perhaps even slightly better! Eb x
I tried braised red cabbage in a restaurant before but I never made it at home since I didn’t know how, I do love though and I might even make it at home one weekend when I have some spare time.
#TastyTuesdays
Thanks, Petra! It really is very easy to do. The cooking time is quite long but it doesn’t take much prep time and the result is so worth it!! Eb x
Your braised red cabbage looks delicious Eb & what a good idea to make it on Christmas Eve. Thanks for sharing x
Thank you, Sarah! Yes, I make this on Christmas Eve pretty much every year. I just love the smell of it filling the house – so Christmassy! Plus it’s lovely to have one dish sorted before Christmas Day has even started! Eb x
Lovely. A friend of mine makes something really similar and it’s absolutely delicious. Maybe I’ll add it to our Christmas menu this year too. Thanks for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
Thank you, Mandy! Eb x
This looks and sounds so good! I love red cabbage and prefer it to the regular cabbage. Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
It really does taste good and looks and smells so Christmassy!! Thanks for commenting, Kirsty! Eb x
Ooh braised red cabbage is my absolute favourite! Really must make some this weekend! Thanks for sharing this with Festive Food Friday!
One of my favourites too! Thanks for commenting, Kerry! Eb x
I’ve also never made this before but I have eaten it at other people’s houses and I just love the gentle spicing and the Christmassy aromas. Thank you for another gorgeous entry to #CookOnceEatTwice
Aw, thanks Corina! It is one of my Christmas favourites. 🙂 And it is just as fantastic the next day – possibly slightly better! Thanks for hosting #CookOnceEatTwice. I’m sure I’ll be back in January 🙂