Finni's Braised Cabbage

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​This delicious, tangy red cabbage makes a great side dish with savoury beef dishes and was a traditional vegetable my mother 'Finni' served with stuffed turkey too.

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Ingredients

• 2 T bacon drippings or vegetable oil
• 1 medium head red cabbage, about 2 1/2 pounds
• 3 large apples
• 1 medium onion, peeled
• 1/2 C red wine vinegar
• 1 whole clove
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 t salt
• 1/8 t ground pepper
• 1/2 t sugar
• diced cooked bacon, optional

Directions

• Remove outer leaves of cabbage; cut into wedges and cut out core. 
• Using a food processor or sharp knife, shred the cabbage. 
• Insert 1 whole clove into onion. 
• Peel and quarter apples. 
• Heat bacon fat or oil in a large saucepan over low to medium heat. Add cabbage and stir to coat. 
• Add remaining ingredients; reduce heat to low. 
• Cover and simmer for about 45 minutes. Red cabbage should be 'al dente' and apples should be softened and blended in.
• Adjust vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.  
• Toss with some diced cooked bacon just before serving, if desired. 

Serves 6. Braised red cabbage freezes well, thaw and heat in microwave to serve.