Healthy Recipe for Braised Red Cabbage with Apple

Cabbage may be healthy and good for weight loss because it’s low-calorie and filling, but think again if you thought cabbage was boring. This braised cabbage with apple is inspired by the German dish called rotkohl. It’s sweet and sour with spices, and traditionally served as a side dish alongside meats like sausage or schnitzel, and starches like dumplings or pasta. 

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This recipe retains the great flavors and textures of rotkohl, but makes it healthier. It uses apple instead of sugar to sweeten the dish, and there’s olive oil instead of butter. Cabbage is high in fiber and vitamins, and delicious dishes like this can help you boost your vegetable intake.

Tips and Serving Suggestions

• Add a bay leaf or caraway seeds for different flavors.
• Serve braised cabbage with chicken or fish. You can also cook protein in the cabbage, with lean ground turkey, tofu, and chicken being good options.
• It’s okay to use green cabbage if you don’t have purple cabbage.
• Look for sweet apples like fuji or honeycrisp for a sweeter outcome.

Recipe for Healthy Braised Red Cabbage with Apple

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 medium red cabbage, shredded
• 1 large apple, cored and thinly sliced or grated
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of white wine or red wine vinegar
• (Optional) 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• (Optional) ¼ teaspoon of cloves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ cup water or low-sodium beef or vegetable broth

Instructions: 

1. Heat the oil in a large pot. Add the red onion and cook for about 5 minutes, or until softened and translucent.
2. Stir in the cabbage, apple, vinegar, spices, and broth. Bring to a boil, and then turn to a simmer. 
3. Cook for 30-35 minutes until the cabbage is soft and the flavors are blended.

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Nutrition information per serving: 110 kcal; 5 g total fat; 0.5 g saturated fat; 180 mg sodium; 0 mg cholesterol; 17 g total carbohydrates; 4 g dietary fiber; 10 g sugar; 2 g protein

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