Nigella Lawsons Red Cabbage Recipes

RED CABBAGE WITH POMEGRANATE JUICE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan (with a lid) or a cast-iron or enamelled Dutch oven. Finely slice each halved onion into thin half-moons and add to the pan along with the salt. Fry for about 5 minutes until the onion begins to soften but doesn't burn; the salt will help to prevent it from burning.
• While this is going on, quarter the apples (no need to peel), cut away the cores and chop them roughly, and add them to the softening onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for another 5 minutes.
• Finely shred the cabbage and add it to the onion-apple mixture in the pan, stirring slowly and patiently to mix. Add the brown sugar and allspice and stir, then pour the pomegranate juice into the pan.
• Let the mixture come to a bubble, then give another stir, turn down the heat, put on a lid and cook very gently at the lowest possible heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. It really won't get overcooked. Taste for seasoning only when you're ready to reheat, as the flavours won't have mellowed and come together properly until then.
• To reheat, put the pan back on the stove over a medium to low heat, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes.

PICKLED RED CABBAGE

Steps:

• Place the shredded cabbage in a colander over the sink and sprinkle with salt. Leave for 2-3 hours, then drain and wash away the salt. Pay dry with a clean tea towel.
• Put the vinegar, wine, sugar, peppercorns and bay leaves into a big, wide saucepan and simmer until the liquid has reduced by about half. Set aside for 10 mins to infuse.
• Strain through a fine sieve into a jug or bowl, and discard the peppercorns and bay leaves. Put the cabbage and mustard seeds into a big bowl, and then pour the strained liquid over. Transfer the cabbage and pickling liquid into sterilised jars and seal. Will last for a month in the fridge.

NIGELLA LAWSON'S RED CABBAGE

Steps:

• Place a large heavy-bottom saucepan or casserole over medium-low heat, and add oil. When oil is hot, add onion and salt. Sauté gently until onion is softened but not colored.
• Add cabbage to pan on top of onion. Sprinkle sugar over cabbage; add wine, orange juice and allspice. Peel, core and finely chop apples, and add to pan. Cover, and let mixture steam until cabbage is wilted, about 10 minutes.
• Gently stir to mix all ingredients; cover and reduce heat to its lowest possible setting. Cook about 2 hours, and adjust salt and allspice as desired. Serve hot, or allow to cool to room temperature and refrigerate overnight. (The flavors improve with reheating.)

RED CABBAGE WITH CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Put all the ingredients into a large, heavy-based pan that comes with a lid, and give a good stir. Bring to the boil over a high heat, stir again, let it bubble away for 10 minutes, then clamp on the lid, lower the heat and leave to simmer for 1½ - 2 hours, or until tender.

PICKLED RED CABBAGE

Steps:

• Sterilise a 750ml / 3 cup (although a 1 litre / 1 quart one will be fine) preserving jar. I consider a jar sterilised if it's come straight out of the dishwasher and not so much as a finger has touched the inside of it. But you can just hand wash the jar in soapy liquid, rinse it well, and dry it in a 140°C/120°C Fan/275°F oven. Leave to cool before filling. Remove the core, then slice the red cabbage finely and put into a colander. Sprinkle over the salt and gently toss the cabbage to get it all coated, then leave over a bowl for 3 hours. Do not be tempted to leave out this step. It makes all the difference. Make the pickling liquid as soon as the cabbage is in the colander. Put the cider and vinegar into a saucepan, and add the sugar, peppercorns, juniper berries, mustard seeds and thyme. Peel both the garlic and ginger, cut them into thinnish slices, and add them to the saucepan. Give everything a good stir, bring gently to the boil, then turn up the heat, and let it bubble away for 2 minutes, switch the heat off and leave everything in the pan to cool. When the cabbage has had its 3 hours, get out a large chopping board and lay a tea towel you don't mind staining on top of it. Take the colander to the sink and rinse the cabbage really well under the cold tap. Squeeze as much water as you can out of it, then spread it out on the tea towel and wrap it and pat it dry. Put the cabbage into your sterilised jar, pushing it down so that it is tightly packed. Strain the pickling liquid into a jug, using a fine-mesh sieve so nothing drops through, and pour over the cabbage, then press down on the cabbage to submerge it all. Put it into the fridge and leave for at least 2 days before eating it. In theory, it will keep happily for 3 weeks, but it is unlikely that you will have any left by then. Always remember to take it out of the fridge in time to get the chill off it before eating.

RED CABBAGE CASSEROLE, VIENNESE FASHION

Steps:

• Cut the cabbage in quarters, discard the outer leaves and the central core, then shred each quarter finely.
• Melt the butter in a deep, heavy casserole.
• Add the onion and cook until it starts to soften and colour.
• Add the sugar and stir around until all is golden.
• Add cabbage and mix well.
• Add apple, vinegar and some salt and pepper.
• Stir well, cover and cook for 15 minutes over a low heat.
• Heat the stock and pour into the casserole.
• Cook for 2 hours on top of the stove or in a low oven (gas mark 2-3/150-160C).
• Mix the flour and cream to a smooth paste in a cup and add to the cabbage gradually, stirring continually, on top of the stove.
• Cook over a low heat for 2 minutes to cook the flour (4 or 5 minutes) and thicken the sauce.
• Taste and add more sugar or vinegar if necessary, balancing the sweet and sour elements.
• If making this in advance, reheat it, covered in its casserole, for 30 minutes at gas mark 4/180C or on the stove for much less time.