Braised Red Cabbage with Chicken Sausages

I made a little announcement over on FaceBook yesterday. Nothing Earth shattering, really, I just wanted you to know that I am making a few changes here on my blog. For awhile, I have been really focusing on cocktails and happy hour foods and it’s been super fun!

But, as much as I enjoy cocktails, I also really love cooking for my family and friends. I love making meals. I love baking. I love trying new things. I really try to eat seasonally and eat foods that are as fresh as I can get. So, I am going to aim to be a little more fresh and lot more freestyle about the recipes I post. I’ll be sure to mix it up with everything from soups to desserts. My goal is to create a library of recipes where you can come for inspiration when the cooking slump hits. I also hope to challenge you to try new things and to try to eat seasonally and locally.

Today, I am sharing my new favorite veggie: Red Cabbage. This darling is so versatile and it’s so good for you. Red Cabbage is packed with phytochemicals, antioxidants, nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Isn’t it the most beautiful veggie?

It can be used raw in salads and slaws or cooked gently as I did here with this Braised Red Cabbage. 

I love to pair this side dish with chicken sausages, like Aidell’s Chicken and Apple Sausages. But, it also goes well with beef or pork. The sweet and sour nature of this dish makes for perfect pairing with just about any subtle flavored meat. If you are vegetarian, then serve it with a bowl of white beans flavored with thyme and garlic.

Braised Red Cabbage comes together quickly, too. A little bit of chopping and then off to the skillet. I like my cabbage a bit on the crisp side, so I don’t cook it for very long, but you can let this dish linger longer in the pan if you like your cabbage more wilted.

For chicken sausages, I am a big fan of the Aidell’s brand. They are fully cooked and portioned. They spend about 12 minutes cooking and then they are ready to serve. This dish is a fast and economical way to add some plants to your diet. I promise your taste buds AND your body will love it.