Omas Rotkohl Authentic German Red Cabbage Food

GERMAN RED CABBAGE (ROTKOHL)

Steps:

• Brown 2 1/2 ounces bacon in a Dutch oven . Add 1/2 cup diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add 4 cups shredded red cabbage and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Pour in 1/2 cup red wine and 1/2 cup apple juice to deglaze, add the 1 tablespoon sugar or agave nectar or honey, 1 whole bay leaf, 4 whole cloves, ground black pepper to taste and 1 peeled, cored and quartered apple.
• Simmer on stove top for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Keep the liquids one finger width (1/2 inch) deep, adding apple juice or water. Adjust seasonings. Serve hot.

GERMAN ROTKOHL - SPICED RED CABBAGE WITH APPLES AND WINE

Steps:

• Cook the pork fat or bacon in a large skillet or dutch oven over low heat, stirring occasionally until it has rendered its fat, about 20 minutes for the pork fat or 10 minutes for the bacon.
• Add the onion, ginger, and cinnamon stick, increase the heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes, until the onion has softened.
• Add the cabbage, stirring and cooking over medium heat until some of the bits are slightly browned and caramelized, about 10 minutes (I do this in batches). Note: You can skip the browning step if you are in a hurry, but I find that it adds a particularly wonderful caramelized flavor to the finished dish. Now add the marjoram, garam masala, vinegar, and port or Madeira, and stir well. (Note: At this point add the optional bay leaf, whole clove, and chopped apple).
• Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, stirring occasionally to make sure the cabbage is not sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Remove the lid and cook, stirring frequently, for 15 minutes.
• Stir in the brown sugar (or maple syrup) and cook for 15 minutes longer, or until most of the liquid has cooked away.
• Remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaf before serving.
• NOTE: If you can't find garam masala, use just a small dash each of ground black pepper, rock salt, cinnamon, & cardomom.