Paisano: Sauteed Cabbage and Apples

Boiled cabbage was, if not frequent, at least common in the house where I grew up - particularly in the winter. And I'm inclined to say that's why I like boiled cabbage. Except that cole slaw was frequent in the house where I grew up - particularly in the summer. And I don't care for cole slaw. On the other hand, I do like raw cabbage sprinkled with a bit of salt. So let's just say I'm conflicted on the subject of cabbage.

Nevertheless, I definitely like it cooked. As I thought about what to have with the Chicken Paprikas the other night it occurred to me that cooked cabbage is a popular middle European dish. This worked for me.

These days I usually steam cabbage in the microwave and I usually buy green cabbage. But this time I decided to go with red cabbage (to shore up my anthocyanin count) and I decided to braise it with apples and onions. Nothing particularly creative, but it was, in fact, a near-perfect complement to the paprikas.

Sauteed Cabbage and Apples
Serves 6.

1/2 lg red cabbage - sliced and cored (about 4 cups)
3 stips bacon
1 onion - peeled and sliced into half rounds
2 apples - peeled, cored, and cut into thin wedges
1/4 c hard cider
1 tbsp cider vinegar
3 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Cook bacon over medium heat until just crisp. Remove to a paper towel to drain and then chop coarsely.  Add onions and cook until translucent. Add all remaining ingredients, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes or until cabbage is tender.

I used Braeburn apples in this. Lately they've become my favorite apple. They have a nice winey flavor, slightly tart, and just sweet enough to make a good eating apple. They also do well in cooked dishes - holding both their shape and flavor. Consequently I've taken to keeping them around as a staple apple even when I buy other apples.

In an alternate life, the Paisano is Kevin Weeks: a Gather food correspondent, personal chef, cooking teacher, and writer in Knoxville, Tennessee who spends too many hours on his feet, cooking. "Paisano" the column focuses on peasant dishes from around the world, Paisano the character is fictional. To read more of Kevin's writings or connect to him click here.His blog, Seriously Good, is read by 100,000 cooks a month and in addition he is the Guide for Cooking for Two at About.com.