The Eighth Day of Kitschmas: 'Christmas Story' Red Cabbage

'Christmas Story' Red Cabbage
Woman's Home Companion Cook Book (1944)

 

Who doesn't love A Christmas Story (I mean, besides Communists, and people offended by shocking Asian stereotypes)?  If, like me, you spend Christmas Day having back-to-back showings of the film running in the background while you go about your business, then you'll remember the dinner scene where red cabbage is featured prominently.

For authenticity's sake, I used a wartime recipe for "savory red cabbage", found in the 1944 edition of the Woman's Home Companion Cook Book. The first ingredient is bacon fat, how could it go wrong?

Bacon fat, 3 tablespoons

Onions, medium-sized, sliced, 2

Lemon juice or vinegar, 1/2 cup (I used cider vinegar)

Water or grape juice, 1/2 cup (I used red wine)

Salt, 2 teaspoons

Sugar, 2 tablespoons

Paprika, dash

Red Cabbage, shredded, 4 to 6 cups

Heat fat in a saucepan; add onions and cook about 10 minutes or until soft and lightly browned. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and cook 20 to 25 minutes or until cabbage is tender. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

 

Tempting as it was to go whole hog and make meatloaf meatloaf double beetloaf as well, we served this with pork chops and sweet potato fries. A perfect accompaniment for a mid-winter meal, and Dr. Husband agrees!