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In Danish, My Mom Called This Rødkål
Growing up, my mom would serve red cabbage with a lot of our meals especially when she served pork. Pork roasts, pork chops, leftover pork with potatoes and onions. Didn’t matter, there was always a serving of red cabbage on the side.
Fortunately for me, I liked the taste of the sweet and tart flavors of her red cabbage but now that I think back, I don’t remember my mom ever making red cabbage from scratch. As far back as I can remember, it always came from a jar.
Where she purchased these jars of red cabbage is a mystery to me. My recollection is the labels were in Danish so either she shopped at Scandinavian store near us (doubtful), she brought it back with her from her many trips to Denmark or she purchased an American brand of red cabbage.
Making Your Own Red Cabbage
I thought it would be fun to prepare my own Danish red cabbage and found this recipe in Trina Hahnemann’s The Scandinavian Cookbook. Chef Trina is a well know Danish chef and food writer and was nice enough to do an interview with me. See Interview with Trina Hahnemann.
What I didn’t know about red cabbage is how red currant jelly is used to help give it its dark red coloring. In looking at other recipes for Danish red cabbage, I noticed a lot of them included apples but this one doesn’t and I’m not sure why. It seems to me the apples help give the dish some of its tartness. I’ll make them optional.
Chef Trina’s recipe also calls for duck fat, an item that is not always easy to find in your local supermarket. I substituted butter but I’m sure the duck fat version is incredible.
📖 Recipe
Print Recipe
Danish Red Cabbage Recipe
Just like my mor made it at home.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time2 hours hrs
Total Time2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Danish
Keyword: red cabbage
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- ¼ cup duck fat
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium head cabbage
- 1 yellow onion
- ¾ cup red wine
- ½ cup superfine sugar
- ¼ cup red current jelly
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 10 whole cloves
- 2 tablespoons apple grated, optional
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Remove the tough outer leaves from the cabbage, wash and core the head. Slice the head in half from top to bottom. Laying each half down on a cutting board, slice the cabbage in big thick slices or finely cut thin slices.
Really depends on how you like your red cabbage.
Preheat a large pan, big enough to hold all the cabbage, add duck fat or butter and when it’s good and hot, add the cabbage.
Cook over medium to medium-high heat until the cabbage gets shiny but not browned.
Add the onion, red wine, sugar, red currant jelly, vinegar, cinnamon stick, and cloves to the pan.
Season with some salt and pepper.
If you are using optional apples, now’s the time to add them.
Cover the pot, lower the heat and simmer for approximately 2 hours until the cabbage is “dark purple and shiny.”
Remove the onion, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper and if needed, some additional sugar. You want it to be a little sweet, but not too much.
Notes
You can serve this right away with the rest of your meal but it really does get better when served the following day. Historically, this is a traditional Danish side dish served with stuffed loin of pork or goose on Christmas Day.
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I'm a work-at-home dad who enjoys cooking, learning everything I can about the culinary world and sharing it with you. To learn more about me... Read More…
Reader Interactions
Comments
Thank You
This is by far the most traditional recipe I've seen, very much like my mother's recipe! She is almost 90 and was telling me the steps, thank you for refreshing our memory. Have a wonderful New Year!
Great recipe
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FAQs
Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water. This also helps cut the pungent edge. Drain well before combining with other ingredients.
How do you take the bitterness out of red cabbage? ›
One way to make raw cabbage less bitter, and therefore more palatable, is to let it marinate in something salty or acidic for a while.
What does baking soda do to red cabbage? ›
The cabbage juice is called an indicator because it can tell you the pH of a solution based on the color that it changes. The vinegar will turn the cabbage juice red because it is an acid (acetic acid). The baking soda will turn the cabbage juice greenish-yellow because it is a base (sodium bicarbonate).
Do you soak red cabbage before cooking? ›
If you notice any signs of worms or insects, which sometimes appears in cabbage, soak the head in salt water or vinegar water for 15-20 minutes first. To preserve its vitamin C content, cut and wash the cabbage right before cooking or eating it.
Why do you put vinegar in cabbage when boiling it? ›
Green is the heartiest variety; it takes well to all cooking methods. Red can turn a funny blue color when cooked, so it's best used raw. If you do want to cook it, add a touch of acid like lemon juice or vinegar to lessen the effect.
Why is vinegar added to red cabbage? ›
When cooked in an alkaline liquid like water, red cabbage turns blue. Adding vinegar, lemon juice, or another acid helps the cabbage to retain its red-purple color.
Why did my red cabbage turn blue when I cooked it? ›
Chemistry concepts
Acids and bases are classes of materials that have different properties. Acid-base indicators change color depending on whether they are in acids or bases. Red cabbage leaves contain a substance called anthocyanin that changes color depending on whether mixed with an acid or a base.
How do you make red cabbage less gassy? ›
Add Garlic, Bay Leaf and Peppercorns to Boiling Water
Chebotar recommends adding garlic cloves, bay leaves and peppercorns to the pot of boiling water as this may help reduce gas. Bay leaf tea can help ease an upset stomach, so boiling it with the cabbage can prevent gas after eating the cabbage.
What does milk do to red cabbage juice? ›
When red cabbage juice is mixed with milk, the milk's pH level will cause a reaction with the anthocyanin pigment. Milk is slightly acidic, so it will turn the red cabbage juice into a purplish color. This is because the anthocyanin pigment in red cabbage juice changes its color in the presence of acids.
What does cooked cabbage do to your stomach? ›
It helps improve digestion
If you want to improve your digestive health, fiber-rich cabbage is a great option. This crunchy vegetable is full of gut-friendly insoluble fiber, a type of carbohydrate that can't be broken down in the intestines.
Being rich in compounds like sulforaphane and anthocyanins, red cabbage is certainly one vegetable to add to your diet. These beneficial compounds appear to prevent oxidative damage and possibly act in protective way against cancer, including colorectal cancer.
How do you get rid of the smell of red cabbage? ›
Allies against cabbage odors
Or even a tablespoon of capers will work too. Another solution is a crumbled up slice of bread soaked in vinegar or lemon. You can also use a potato. Paired together with bay leaves, potato, vinegar or milk work too.
Is it better to boil or steam red cabbage? ›
Steaming is an indirect cooking process which means delicate ingredients can be gently cooked to retain their flavour and nutrients. The benefit of steaming cabbage is that it doesn't produce the unpleasant smell associated with boiled cabbage.
What is the best way to eat red cabbage? ›
Pickled red cabbage is an excellent match for cheese, cold meats and smoked fish. Red cabbage braised with vinegar and apples makes a traditional sweet and sour recipe to accompany a roast and beautifully spiced versions are commonly found at Christmas celebrations served with turkey, goose or baked ham.
What goes well with red cabbage? ›
Sweet and sour red cabbage is a perfect side dish for sausages, pork chops, schnitzel or German pork burgers. This braised cabbage also pairs well with roast chicken, duck, and roast beef.
What are the benefits of red cabbage water? ›
Cabbage juice is loaded with nutrients, such as vitamins C and K, and drinking it is linked to many purported benefits, including weight loss, improved gut health, decreased inflammation, balanced hormones, and body detoxification.
What does soaking cabbage in salt water do? ›
The salt will draw out excess water from cabbage while helping preserve the crispiness. After letting it sit for an hour or two, rinse it with water to remove the salt. Drain and dry the cabbage with paper towels, gently pressing to release excess water. Repeat with more paper towels as the water is absorbed.
How do you make red cabbage not bleed? ›
Prevent the Cabbage from Bleeding.
To prevent this, toss the cabbage with 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar before combining it with the rest of the ingredients.
What does cabbage water do to the body? ›
Drinking cabbage water can have a positive impact on your digestive system. It contains natural compounds that aid in digestion and help relieve symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and constipation. Cabbage water is also rich in dietary fiber, which promotes regular bowel movements and contributes to a healthy gut.
I'm a work-at-home dad who enjoys cooking, learning everything I can about the culinary world and sharing it with you. To learn more about me... Read More…