Red Cabbage Gratin

Red Cabbage Gratin - A Savory and Healthy Delight

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4

Are you looking for a simple and delicious recipe that adds a touch of originality to your table? The red cabbage gratin is the perfect choice! This recipe not only combines flavors and colors but is also an excellent way to include vegetables in your diet. Here’s how to prepare a creamy and aromatic gratin with a fine béchamel sauce that will delight all taste buds.

Ingredients:

- 1 kg red cabbage
- 20 g butter
- 30 g flour
- 500 ml milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
- 100 g cheese (preferably Gruyère or Emmental for extra flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional, for a more intense flavor)

Step 1: Preparing the Red Cabbage

Start by cleaning and slicing the red cabbage into thin strips. Once sliced, place it in a large pot of boiling water and let it cook for 5-7 minutes until slightly tender. This process will reduce the characteristic bitterness of the cabbage. After boiling, drain the cabbage and set it aside.

Step 2: Preparing the Béchamel Sauce

In a medium saucepan, melt the 20 g of butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the flour and quickly whisk to form a roux. Continue to whisk for about 1-2 minutes until the mixture turns golden.

Now, start adding the milk gradually, continuously stirring to avoid lumps. Keep stirring over medium heat until the sauce begins to thicken. Once it reaches the desired consistency, add the salt, nutmeg, and pepper. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Step 3: Assembling the Gratin

In a baking dish, lay an even layer of boiled red cabbage. Pour a layer of béchamel sauce over the cabbage, followed by a layer of grated cheese. Repeat the process until all ingredients are used, ensuring that the last layer is béchamel sauce and cheese.

Step 4: Baking

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Place the gratin dish in the oven and let it bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the cheese on top is golden and crispy. The aroma of cabbage and cheese will fill the entire kitchen, and the result will be truly impressive!

Step 5: Serving

Let the gratin rest for 10 minutes before slicing. You can serve the red cabbage gratin as a vegetarian main dish or as a side dish alongside meat. A delicious suggestion is to add some toasted nuts on top for a crunchy contrast and an extra hint of flavor.

Possible Variations:

If you want to customize the recipe, you can add a few slices of caramelized apple or pear in the cabbage layer for a sweet-sour contrast. You can also experiment with different types of cheese or add spices like cumin or sweet paprika for an even more complex flavor.

The red cabbage gratin is not only a quick recipe but also an excellent way to experiment in the kitchen. This recipe is sure to become a family favorite!

 Ingredients: Two hands of boiled cabbage, coarsely chopped, 30 g butter, 15 g flour, 200 ml milk, a thicker slice of ham, 50 g Gruyere cheese (I used 25 g Emmental and 25 g Gruyere), 50 g sour cream, aromatic pepper, salt, a pinch of nutmeg. For the béchamel sauce: 20 g butter, flour, milk, salt, and nutmeg.