Traditional German Braised Purple Cabbage
Braised Purple Cabbage! You’ll likely love it or not. Rotkohl means red cabbage and Blaukraut means blue cabbage. This dish can be called either, depending upon the region in Germany. I call it scrumptious. I have made it years ago, only once, to go with duck confit. I find it perfect for that dish, or any wild game, as well. It is a little sweet and tangy, yet a bold savory dish.
This side is not a quiet little number. Not visually, nor flavourwise. I also enjoy the mouthfeel, but that will depend upon how you like it. It is traditionally served with Margaret Bose Johnson’s German Fleisch Rouladen main. Margaret’s site is Kitchen Frau and not to be missed. She has been a favourite read of mine for years. Be sure to stop by, say hi and how much you love her recipes here! Remember our project hashtag please: #ACFValerieCookingwithYOU!
Some prefer it braised into complete, helpless and totally limp and lifeless submission. I like it with a little lively luster, yet most definitely appreciate the rich buttery cabbage note, regardless. How Margaret likes it is exactly how I do.
This is her family recipe and a side that is an absolute necessity when dressing the family table for Christmas.
Braised Purple Cabbage: Mis en Place
The ingredients are rather humble, with the exception of the luxurious butter. Her mother was generous with the butter. I like that.
Nicoletta and Loreto of SugarLoveSpices attended the day that Margaret and I cooked together and were instrumental to getting the sides prepared for this meal.
Margaret likes the cabbage shredded and the pieces about 2 inches long, so chopped, as well. Above, her husband Raymond is actually sitting for a moment.That is a rare occurrence for Raymond. He is a machine. Sliced, diced, did dished and cleaned like no one I had every seen! It appears that all three of the woman in this kitchen were very lucky in marriage!
All is chopped and cropped and ready to go!
Braised Purple Cabbage: Sauteing the Aromatics
Soften the aromatics.
In goes the cabbage. Prepare for the braise!
Braised Purple Cabbage: Preparing for Braise
Love the colour.
Flavourings are simple: bay leaves and cloves, vinegar and sugar.
Then about 1/4 cup of water to enable braising to be replenished only if the cabbage starts to stick to the bottom of the pan.
Braised Purple Cabbage: Braising the Cabbage
God bless Nicoletta! There was a small moment in the day where there was so much happening at once that I was overwhelmed. Only because I was trying to capture the step by step photos of the 4 recipes we were making and worried about missing something. That rendered me rather helpless for a minute or two. Raymond washed and cleaned with rigor. Nicoletta filled in whenever and whereever. This is a gal that can see what needs to be done and just does it. I love that.
Of course, Margaret was calm, cool and floating about doing a thousand things at once, effortlessly. I think at one point, she was a blurr, she seemed to move so fast to me, yet flowed softly and quietly at the same time. The gorgeous cabbage is ready! We stirred and added tidbits of water now and then. Texture right. Flavour divine.
Braised Purple Cabbage: Serving the Cabbage
I’ve had a similar dish with my Latvian friends with caraway seeds. That was tasty, too. Did you know this also freezes like a charm! Again, Margaret’s advice: cook a big batch and freeze in small containers to pull out and serve as a side whenever you need a little pick me up!
This is one of the recipes we cooked together the day Margaret participated in Project 2017: Valerie Cooking in the Kitchen with…. you!
Recipes for the complete Bose Johnson Christmas Eve Fleish Rouladen Dinner:
- Rouladen
- Spaetzle
- Braised Purple Cabbage
- Cucumber Salad and
- Margaret’s Post about her experience here which includes information about how to prepare ahead for a crowd.
What do you do with purple cabbage? Let’s start the conversation!
German Braised Purple Cabbage
German Braised Purple Cabbage or Rotkohl or Blaukraut: traditional side for German Fleisch Rouladen. A delicious, nutritious and economical vegetable side.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter (or more!)
- 1 tart apple (Granny Smith), peeled, cored and chopped
- 1 medium onion , sliced
- 1/2 large purple cabbage (about 2 pounds), shredded and chopped (2 inch pieces)
- 1-2 bay leaves
- 2 whole cloves
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup water , and more as needed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and to taste
- freshly ground pepper to taste (start with 1/4 teaspoon)
Instructions
- Place onion and apple into heavy pan with butter; saute until translucent
- Add cabbage; saute at medium heat, stirring often, until soft (about 15 minutes)
- Add bay leaves, cloves, brown sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper and 1/4 cup water;
- Place lid on heavy pan; braise or simmer slowly for 45 minutes to an hour, checking to replenish water only to avoid sticking on bottom of pan
- When done, season to taste, stir well to combine and serve immediately
Freezing Braised Cabbage
- Freezes really well and can be made ahead; thaw, heat and serve
There are as many ways to make this sweet and sour cabbage dish as there are German cooks. Some add wine, some add bacon, some use other sweeteners or other spices. This is the way my mom makes it. It’s a comfort food for me (we Germans aren’t called ‘Krauts’ for nothing!)
I love your photos and your write-up – ’twas a great day cooking in your kitchen!
Isn’t that always the way, Margaret? It is like potato salad, here. Mom’s or mine is always the best and “we never do it THAT way!” Hahahah. It’s all good. They are all delicious, but never as good as home. Loved getting to know you better through this day and these posts. We have much more in common than I imagined!
Hugs, Valerie