Braised Red Cabbage with Fennel and Orange 
Serves 6 • Cooking Time 5 to 6 hours on Low or 3 to 4 hours on High • Slow Cooker Size 5½ to 7 Quarts
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS: For a fresh take on braised cabbage, we added fennel to this slow-cooker version of the classic. The slow cooker, with its enclosed heat environment, is perfect for braising cabbage while trapping the enticing aromas of the fennel. However, adding the vegetables directly to the slow cooker left them too crunchy for our liking. To get the texture just right, we precooked the cabbage along with the fennel in the microwave to soften them slightly. For a braising liquid that would add another flavor dimension to this dish, we selected sweet and tangy orange juice, enhancing it with spices and herbs such as fennel seeds, bay leaves, and thyme. A bit of sugar rounded out the sweetness, and vinegar perked up the flavors and added balance. See the sidebar that follows the recipe.
1 |
head red cabbage (2 pounds), cored and shredded |
2 |
fennel bulbs, 2 tablespoons fronds minced, stalks discarded, bulbs halved, cored, and sliced ½ inch thick |
1 |
onion, chopped fine |
2 |
teaspoons canola oil |
Salt and pepper |
|
1 |
cup orange juice (2 oranges) |
2 |
tablespoons packed light brown sugar, plus extra as needed |
2 |
sprigs fresh thyme |
½ |
teaspoon fennel seeds |
3 |
bay leaves |
2 |
tablespoons white wine vinegar, plus extra as needed |
1. Microwave cabbage, fennel slices, onion, oil, and ½ teaspoon salt in covered bowl, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain cabbage mixture and transfer to slow cooker. Stir in orange juice, 1 tablespoon sugar, thyme sprigs, fennel seeds, and bay leaves. Cover and cook until cabbage is tender, 5 to 6 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high.
2. Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Stir in vinegar and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Season with salt, pepper, extra sugar, and extra vinegar to taste. (Cabbage can be held on warm or low setting for up to 2 hours.) Sprinkle with fennel fronds before serving.
Per serving:
Cal 130
Fat 2g
Sat Fat 0g
Chol 0mg
Carb 28g
Protein 4g
Fiber 6g
Sodium 280mg