Sweet and Sour Braised Cabbage (Rotkohl)

Ingredients

• 1 cup apple cider 
• 4 slices applewood-smoked bacon chopped (such as Neuske's)
• 1  bay leaf 
• 3 cups apples i use 2 granny smith apples peeled chopped ( 2 medium)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt 
• 2 cups thinly onion vertically sliced ( 1 large)
• 2 pounds cabbage red thinly sliced
• 0.3 cup red wine vinegar 
• 2 tablespoons sugar 

Equipment

• frying pan
• dutch oven

Directions

1. Cook bacon in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until crisp.
2. Remove bacon from pan, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings in pan; set bacon aside.
3. Add onion to drippings in pan; saut 3 minutes.
4. Add apple to pan; saut 2 minutes.
5. Add cabbage to pan; saut 2 minutes.
6. Add cider and remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour and 15 minutes or until cabbage is tender, stirring occasionally. Discard cloves and bay leaf.
7. Sprinkle with bacon.