» Sun Jun 10, 2012 1:31 am This Apple-Cabbage stew is based loosely on a recipe I found online, with ingredients modified to ones found in Skyrim. The herbs and celery are the only ingredients not found in the game - you can leave them out if you insist on authenticity! The ingredients are cheap and it makes a generous portion for two or a modest portion for four.
1/4 medium-sized cabbage, cut into ribbons
1 large leek: remove the green, take the white and cut it lengthwise then wash thoroughly under cold running water to get the grit out. Then slice thinly.
2 small red apples, preferably a sharp-flavored apple such as Gala: core, then cut into small cubes
1 stick celery, diced fine
dried thyme, generous pinch (fresh is better if you have it)
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon garlic
1 1/2 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
In a medium saucepan, melt 1 tbs butter and saute the cubed apples until they are tender, brown, and the sugar in the apples is just starting to caramelize (turn dark.) This takes about 10 minutes and smells delicious. Set the apples aside.
Next, using the same saucepan, melt the remaining butter in the olive oil. Add the garlic and some pepper; cook about 15 seconds to release the flavors into the oil. Then add the sliced cabbage and leek. Saute until the cabbage is brown and wilted, about 12 minutes. This does take a while, but keep stirring - you don't want it burned, just cooked thoroughly.
Next, add the apples back, along with the diced celery and a pinch of thyme. A sprig of fresh thyme would be even better, but make sure to remove it when you're done cooking because no one likes a big crunchy mouthful of fresh thyme. Or, for a more authentic Skyrim flavor, leave it out - or use your imagination to duplicate alchemical ingredients! Saute about a minute longer, just enough to slightly soften the celery.
Then add your chicken stock. I use store-bought boxed stock because I'm lazy, but if you have real chicken stock, use that. Or you can use bouillon. This should be enough stock to cover your vegetables and deglaze the pan, without turning it into soup. Bring to a boil then simmer for five minutes, stirring occasionally and letting the liquid boil down until you have a stew.
Taste. Depending on how much salt was in your stock, add salt - but a lot of boxed stocks and bouillons already have more than enough salt.
That's it! You should now have two bowlsful of brown gunk - just like in the picture in game! But it should also taste and smell delicious. For a quick and hearty winter meal, add Polish sausage, artisan bread, and cheese. Pretend you're in Skyrim.
Anyone else have adventures in Skyrim cooking to share?
I don't like celery, so cutting that out for authenticity wouldn't be too hard for me. I know what ingredients I'll be getting next time I'm at the grociery. 
