Cabbage With Juniper

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I once tried cooking cabbage in gin. It almost worked but using alcohol seemed pointless when the real flavor came from the juniper berries used to make the gin. So here’s the sober version.

You need:

450g shredded cabbage
1 small onion, chopped finely
1 crushed garlic clove
6-8 juniper berries
2tbs oil
Salt and pepper

Using a saucepan with a solid base, soften the onion in the oil for about 5 minutes, taking care not to let it color.

Crush the juniper berries, either in a pestle and mortar, if you have one, or put them in a bowl and press down on them with the end of a rolling pin. You could also put them on a flat surface, place the flat blade of a knife or cleaver over them, and thump it with the side of your fist.

However you do it, once it’s done add the berries and the garlic to the onion. Cook for a further 2 minutes and then stir in the cabbage. Mix thoroughly, cover and cook slowly for 10 minutes, stirring from time to time.

If you want to try my alcoholic version, leave out the berries and add a small glass of gin instead at the same time as you add the cabbage. Drain before serving.