Mom's Red Cabbage

From Winter Gatherings, best I've ever tasted, easy to make , leftovers are even better.

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 2  bacon, strips chopped
• 2  teaspoons  vegetable oil
• 2  granny smith apples, pealed, cored and diced
• 1  onion, chopped
• 1  head red cabbage, about 2 1/2 lbs, cored and cut into thin shreds
• 1⁄2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1⁄2 cup  packed light brown sugar
• 1  teaspoon dried thyme
• 1  bay leaf

Directions

1. Cook bacon in oil until crisp and brown, remove bacon.
2. Add apples, cook until beginning to brown.
3. Add onions, cook until softened.
4. Add cabbage and vinegar, stir well.
5. Add brown sugar, thyme and bay leaf, stir.
6. Return bacon to pot, reduce heat to medium-low cover and simmer until cabage is very tender, about 1 1/4 hours.
7. Remove bay leaf. Season with salt and fresh ground pepper,.