Founder of @Umami Sans Frontiรจres
Expense
Preparation
Baking time
Rest time
For 4-6 people
1/ Prepare the Vegetables: Finely chop the onion and shred the purple cabbage.
2/ Sautรฉ the Onion: Heat the butter in a large pot. Add the chopped onion and sautรฉ over medium heat until translucent, being careful not to burn it.
3/ Add the Cabbage: Add the shredded purple cabbage to the pot and stir to combine.
4/ Add Aromatics: Add the bay leaf and cinnamon. Mix gently to distribute the spices.
5/ Pour in the Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the red wine and stir briefly. Then add the apple cider vinegar, sugar, cloves, and salt. Stir again and bring to a boil.
6/ Simmer Until Tender: Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7/ Prepare the Apple: While it simmers, cut the apple into 1 cm cubes.
8/ Add Apple and Jam: Add the cubed apple and berry jam to the pot. Cover again and simmer for another 15 minutes.
9/ Thicken the Sauce (Optional): Remove the lid and bring the mixture to a boil. If desired, thicken with potato starch dissolved in water, stirring until the sauce slightly thickens.
10/ Final Seasoning: Taste and adjust with more apple cider vinegar, sugar, or salt as needed. Add a pinch of nutmeg if you have it. Ready to serve!
๐ Tips for Enjoying Rotkohl๐
โญ๏ธStorage: Let it cool completely before storing. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container, and it also freezes beautifully.
โญ๏ธServing Suggestions: Rotkohl pairs wonderfully with hearty German mains like roast pork, sausages, duck, or schnitzel. It also goes well with mashed potatoes or spaetzle. Weโve also featured Rotkohl as a side in the following recipes: take a look if youโd like more German-inspired meal ideas:
๐ Kartoffelsalat โ Classic German Cold Potato Salad
๐ German-style Hamburger Steak โ Frikadellen
โญ๏ธAdjusting Sweetness
You can skip the berry jam for a less sweet version, especially if your apples are already very sweet
๐ธ Personal Not๐ธ
I personally love this version with apples๐. It adds just the right touch of natural sweetness and gentle acidity. But if you prefer, a simpler version using only red cabbage is perfectly fine too. You can also find ready-made Rotkohl in jars or cans at most supermarkets. Just heat and serveโitโs a quick fix when youโre short on time. That said, homemade Rotkohl has a depth of flavor thatโs hard to beat! This dish is actually my older daughterโs absolute favoriteโค๏ธ, she even says mine tastes better than what weโve had in restaurants. ๐
That always makes me smileโI can’t help feeling a little proud! ๐
Founder of @Umami Sans Frontiรจres
