Ralphie's Red Cabbage

If you've seen A Christmas Story [watch it online, here] you may recall that Ralphie's mother makes red cabbage on at least two occasions in the movie. In the first, the Old Man has just asked for some more red cabbage, forcing Mom to get up from the table, as Ralphie's adult voice comments, "My Mother had not had a hot meal for years..." In the second, Ralphie lifts the lid on a pot to see what's cooking. "Oh...red cabbage..." he murmurs. To which his mother replies, "You love my red cabbage, Ralphie!"

Ralphie's Red Cabbage

Ingredients:

1/2 c. water
1/2 c. wine vinegar
1 tsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
3 peppercorns
1 bay leaf
1 whole clove
1 apple, cored, peeled, and finely chopped.
1 large head red cabbage, shredded.
1 T. butter (optional)

Preparation:

In a heavy pan, bring the water and vinegar to a boil with the sugar, herbs, and spices. Add the apple and the cabbage, and return to a boil. Cover, reduce heat. Simmer on low, stirring occassionally until the cabbage is tender (check for tenderness after 20 minutes) but not too soft. Remove the bay leaf and the clove. Stir in a tablespoon of butter before serving, if you like.