We always have this on Christmas Eve with Ham and Stuffed Potato Skins. Many people have it as part of their Christmas Lunch and very tasty it is too. It’s just such a versatile dish. The sweet/sour tang cuts through any rich foods such as turkey, ham or goose, and it’s jewel ruby-red colour it seems made for for the festive table. If you add to that the fact it can be made in advance and sit either in your fridge or freezer quite happily until it is reheated it’s a winner of a dish. It feels really good to get ahead and this dish enables you to do just that.
This recipe is a classic one so there is nothing very new here. I have just tweaked it a little with some red currant jelly and a few dried cranberries but that’s just my personal preference.
Ingredients (serves 8-10)
- 1 red cabbage
- 3 medium onions, chopped finely
- 3 medium cooking apples such as bramleys, peeled cored and chopped
- salt and pepper
- 3 cloves, chopped finely
- 50g dried cranberries
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 grated nutmeg
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 tbsp wine vinegat
- 50g butter
- 3-4 tbsp redcurrant jelly
Method
- Core and shred the red cabbage
- Put about a third of the cabbage in bottom of a large lidded casserole. Season well
- Add one of the chopped onions, garlic cloves and a chopped apple evenly on top.
- Sprinkle over a third of the cranberries, sugar and spices
- Repeat these layers two more times until casserole is full
- Dot top with butter and add wine vinegar
- Cover tightly and bake in 140c oven for two-and-a-half hours.
- Add redcurrant jelly and stir through. Adjust seasoning to taste.
This does look perfect to go with ham Rosie!! And, happily, we have part of a ham in the freezer (Christmas breakfast leftover!)– I’ll have to give it a try! Hope you are staying warm and snug there. We still have the house full with our kids evacuated from the fire damage and a friend of theirs from China coming to visit! A little extended “Christmas togetherness!” Hug hugs from here!
Goodness still evacuated. It’s been a while now hasn’t it. Is there any news for them as to when they will be allowed back? I think you said their house had been spared thus far?
Hi Rosie– Your’e so kind to ask– they moved home a couple days ago, but found the house filled with mice and most of their furniture in storage. So it will take them a while to get really settled. Hope all’s well with you! xo
I shall be thinking of them and I am sure they will get everything sorted and comfortable You family seems to have a knack for making houses homes x