Spiced Red Cabbage With Prunes Food

SPICED RED CABBAGE WITH PRUNES

Steps:

• Fry the onion in the oil until beginning to soften. Tip in the mixed spice, then fry a few seconds more.
• Add the remaining ingredients. Season, then stir well. Cover and simmer for 20 mins, stirring every now and then, until tender.
• On the day, reheat in a pan.

CHRISTMAS RED CABBAGE

Steps:

• Peel off the outer leaves of the cabbage, then cut into quarters and slice out the core. Use a sharp knife or the slicing attachment of a food processor to thinly slice the cabbage.
• Heat the butter in a large saucepan, then tip in the onions and gently fry until softened, about 5 mins. Add the orange zest to the pan along with the cinnamon stick, then cook for 1 min more. Add the shredded cabbage, then pour over the port, red wine vinegar, orange juice and 150ml water. Bring up to the boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pan and cook for 45 mins-1 hr until the cabbage is softened.

RED CABBAGE WITH PORT, PRUNES & ORANGE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Heat the butter in a casserole dish until sizzled to a nutty brown. Add the onion and fry for 15 mins over a medium heat until soft and starting to colour.
• Tip the remaining ingredients into a large pan and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Put in the oven for 1 hr, then stir, cover and cook for a further 1 hr until the cabbage is tender. If it looks dry, add a splash of water; if there's still liquid in the pan once cooked, turn the heat up until it evaporates. Season with a little salt and serve. Can be prepared up to three days ahead and chilled or frozen for up to three months; reheat in the microwave or in a pan on the hob.

SPICED BRAISED RED CABBAGE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2. Put the star anise, cinnamon stick and cardamom pods in the centre of a small square of muslin, and tie the ends together to make a bag. Put the spice bag in a medium flameproof casserole dish.
• Remove any wilted or tough outer leaves from the cabbage. Cut it into quarters, then remove and discard the core. Shred the cabbage finely and layer up in the dish with the garlic, onions, apple and brown sugar.
• Spoon over the vinegar and dot the top with the butter. Cover with a lid and cook for 21/2-3 hrs, stirring twice during cooking - the cabbage should be tender but not mushy. Remove the spice bag and serve.

STICKY SPICED RED CABBAGE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan, add cabbage, ginger, onions, allspice and mustard seeds, then cook for 5 mins until just starting to wilt.
• Scatter over the sugar and pour in the vinegar. Cover pan, gently cook for 10 mins, then remove lid and turn up the heat to medium. Simmer the liquid in the cabbage for about 20 mins, stirring occasionally, then stir continuously for the last few mins until all the liquid has evaporated and becomes sticky on the bottom of the pan. Tip cabbage into a large bowl and serve.

SPICED RED CABBAGE

Steps:

• Cook the bacon in a large skillet over a medium heat until crisp. Add the olive oil to the pan along with the onion and garlic. Cook until the onion has softened then stir in the garlic, fennel seed, thyme leaves, pear and cabbage.
• Saute for 10 minutes until the cabbage is slightly softened. Add in the remaining ingredients and cover with a lid and turn down to low heat and cook for 40 minutes.
• Uncover and serve warm.