“Old Time Sweet and Sour Cabbage with Bacon” is a classic dish that brings together the hearty, comforting flavors of cooked cabbage with a delightful balance of sweetness and tanginess, enhanced by the savory depth of bacon. This dish is often a staple in traditional European cuisines, especially in regions like Germany and Eastern Europe.
The recipe typically starts with bacon, which is fried until crisp. The rendered bacon fat is then used to sauté chopped or shredded cabbage, infusing it with a rich, smoky flavor. As the cabbage cooks, it becomes tender and absorbs the flavors of the dish.
To create the distinctive sweet and sour profile, ingredients like vinegar (often apple cider or red wine vinegar) and a sweetening agent like sugar or apples are added. This combination gives the cabbage a unique tangy taste with a subtle sweetness, perfectly balancing the flavors.
Some variations of the recipe might include additional ingredients like onions, apples, or caraway seeds for extra layers of flavor. The dish is cooked until the cabbage is soft and the flavors are well melded.
Old Time Sweet and Sour Cabbage with Bacon is often served as a side dish and is particularly popular as an accompaniment to roasted meats or traditional dishes like sausages or pork chops. Its comforting and robust flavors make it a favored choice in colder months and for festive occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 4 slices bacon, cut crosswise into ½-inch pieces
- 1 sweet vidalia onion, thinly sliced,
- 1 medium green cabbage, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces
- ¼ cup cider vinegar
- ¼ cup sugar ¼ tsp caraway seed (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large, heavy pot (I use a Dutch oven) over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until brown and crisp, stirring frequently.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a plate. Add onion and cabbage to pot and cook, stirring often, until cabbage is wilted (about 10 minutes).
- Add vinegar and sugar and cook until cabbage is crisp-tender, about 10 more minutes.
- Stir in bacon.Source : allrecipes.com
