Cold weather calls for comfort food – warm, nourishing dishes that fill us up after days spent outdoors and inspire us to hunker down by the fire. Unfortunately there is a misconception that comfort foods equal unhealthy foods, when in fact nothing could be further from the truth. This stewed cabbage is absolutely packed with nutrients, yet still fits the bill when you’re looking for something filling and satisfying. It also happens to be one of those ridiculously easy, one-pot meals. You chop, mix, cook, and enjoy!
It’s actually based on an old Slovak recipe that my husband’s grandmother brought with her from her childhood in Czechoslovakia. For me, that makes it taste all the better! I’m a sucker for traditions of all sorts, and family recipes are at the top of my list. We spent yesterday exploring her small town in Slovakia and meeting distant family for the first time. It seemed fitting to make this meal in her honor and share it with all of you.
Stewed Red Cabbage with Apples and Potatoes Ingredients (serves 4):
1/2 head cabbage, rough chopped (about 3 cups)
1 apple, diced
1 large onion, diced
1 cup of cubed potatoes (also good with sweet potatoes)
1.5 cups apple cider
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1 cup tomato paste
salt and pepper to taste
Begin by dicing the apple and onion and sauteing them over medium heat.
After they have started to lightly brown, add the cabbage, potatoes, and cider.
Mix well and continue cooking on medium/low heat for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Add the tomato paste and cider vinegar and continue cooking for 30 minutes, or until the ingredients have cooked down and started to form a very thick stew. Add more cider or water if your dish needs more liquid while cooking.
Finish with freshly ground salt and pepper and enjoy. I love a big hearty bowl accompanied by a fresh green salad – it is the perfect combination of flavors in my book.
And just think of all the nutrition you’re absorbing from a meal like this. Cabbage is filled with cancer-fighting antioxidants, tomato paste is one of the best sources of lycopene, and apple polyphenols help regulate blood sugar. It is the ideal nutritious and delicious comfort food!
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