Red-Wine Braised Cabbage and Onions

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Red-Wine-Braised-Cabbage-and-Onions-236375

• 3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 pound red onions, halved lengthwise, then cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 1 (3-pound) head of red cabbage, cut lengthwise into 8 wedges and wedges cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices (16 cups)
• 2 cups dry red wine (from a 750-ml bottle)
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 firm sweet apple, such as Honey Crisp, Gala, or Fuji, peeled and coarsely grated
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 10 whole black peppercorns
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf

• Special equipment: a 6-inch square of cheesecloth; kitchen string