Festive Red Cabbage Recipes

Steps:

• Finely shred the cabbage - the quickest way to do this is in a food processor with a shredder attachment or using a mandoline.
• Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan, then add the cabbage and kale. Stir-fry over a high heat for 3-4 mins or until the cabbage starts to wilt, then add the rest of the ingredients. Toss everything together really well, continue to cook for a further 4 mins and season before serving. Keep warm in a low oven if needed or leave to cool, cover, chill and reheat in a pan or microwave the following day.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish, add the onions and cook on a medium heat for 8-10 mins, then add the star anise and cinnamon stick.
• Pour in the wine and let it simmer until slightly reduced. Add the cabbage, sugar and apples, and stir well. Season well, cover and simmer on a low heat for 3 hrs, stirring every now and again.
• Once the cabbage is tender, check the seasoning. Serve in a bowl with the star anise and cinnamon stick on top. Can be made 1-2 days in advance or frozen for up to 4 months - simply reheat on the hob before serving.

Steps:

• Make the dressing by mixing all the ingredients together in a jar - giving them all a good shake. The dressing can be made up to 2 days beforehand and stored in a cool place.
• Place all the prepared vegetables and the apple in a large mixing bowl and mix by hand.
• One hour before serving add the dressing and mix well, allowing the flavours to infuse together.
• Serve in an attractive serving bowl, sprinkling on the pecan nuts just before serving; give them a little mix, leaving some on top.
• This coleslaw can also be garnished with finely chopped parsley, for extra colour.

Steps:

• Rinse the shredded red cabbage under cold water. Put it in a mixing bowl with the salt, and mix. Leave in the fridge for 4 hours.
• Pour the two vinegars into a pan and add the spices, seeds, berries and leaves. Bring to the boil, then remove from the heat and leave it to infuse for about an hour.
• When the cabbage is salted, rinse it thoroughly under cold water. Pack the cabbage into 2 clean, sterilised jars.
• Bring the vinegar back to the boil, and add the sugar. Over a low heat stir to dissolve the sugar.
• When it has dissolved, pour the vinegar over the cabbage, making sure it is completely covered. Leave it to cool for about an hour, before sealing the jars and storing them in the fridge for at least 2 weeks. It will keep for several months.

Steps:

• Discard outer leaves of the red cabbage and ut into quarters. Cut out the central woody root and then shred the quarters very finely. Place in a bowl. Cut the apples or pears into quarters, core them & then slice into fine dice and set aside in another bowl.
• Place peeled and diced onions into another bowl & make sure all the other ingredients are measured and to hand!
• If cooking in a conventional dutch oven or Le Creuset type casserole dish, turn oven on to 180 C or 360°F It can be cooked on top of the stove too.
• For cooking in the crockpot - take the inner crock out and start layering the ingredients: Red cabbage, then salt & pepper; Apples or pears, onions & garlic, then the spices & brown sugar;keep layering this way until everything has been used up.
• (If you would like it slghtly spicier, add a little more spices, but no more than 1 teaspoon per spice, as it will be too spiced & will detract from the apple/pear & red cabbage flavours!).
• Dot the top of the red cabbage with the butter and pour over the red wine vinegar.
• Season once more with salt & pepper and cook for 6 to 12 hours on High in the crockpot, until everything has broken down, is soft and it is a rich red colour.
• For conventional cooking - cook for about 2 - 2 1/2 hours at 180 C or 360°F I.
• It can be cooked on the stove top too; takes about 2 - 3 hours on a low heat, just a slow simmer.
• Pears can be used as well, and I sometimes add a handful of cranberries for a really festive touch!