Rode Kool met Appeltjes (Dutch Braised Red Cabbage with Apples)
Local name: Rode kool met appeltjes
In short: Red cabbage braised slowly with tart apples, onion, cloves and vinegar until soft, glossy and sweet-sour. The classic Dutch side for meatballs and roasts. It takes about 1 h 25 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 5 min
- Total
- 1 h 25 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 155 kcal
Rode kool met appeltjes is red cabbage cooked slowly with apples, cloves and vinegar until it is tender, glossy and balanced between sweet and sour. It is the standard Dutch side for meatballs, sausages, hachee and festive roasts. The long, gentle braise lets the cabbage soften without turning mushy, and a spoon of redcurrant jelly at the end adds shine. Like most braises, it tastes better the next day.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft.
- Add the cabbage, apples, vinegar, sugar, water, cloves, bay leaf, cinnamon stick and salt. Stir well, since the vinegar keeps the cabbage a bright purple-red.
- Bring to a simmer, cover and cook on low heat for 50 to 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, until the cabbage is very tender. Add a splash of water if it starts to catch on the base.
- Remove the bay leaf, cloves and cinnamon stick. Stir in the redcurrant jelly and cook uncovered for 5 minutes until the liquid turns syrupy.
- Taste and adjust with salt, a little more sugar or a splash of vinegar so it is balanced between sweet and sour. Serve hot.
Tips
- Add the vinegar early. The acid keeps the cabbage a bright purple-red, while cabbage cooked without it turns dull blue-grey.
- Shred the cabbage as finely as you can with a sharp knife or the slicing blade of a food processor. Fine shreds braise evenly and give a silky texture.
Questions and answers
What do you serve with rode kool met appeltjes?
Dutch meatballs, smoked sausage, hachee, roast pork and game are the usual partners, along with boiled potatoes.
Can I use butter instead of oil?
Yes, 30 g (2 tbsp) of butter works and adds richness. The dish is then no longer vegan or dairy-free.
How long does braised red cabbage keep?
Up to 4 days in a covered container in the fridge, and it tastes better after a day. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
How long does it take to make Rode Kool met Appeltjes (Dutch Braised Red Cabbage with Apples)?
About 1 h 25 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Rode Kool met Appeltjes (Dutch Braised Red Cabbage with Apples)?
About 155 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 27 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 155 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 27 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 20 g |
| Sodium | 400 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
