Not So Sour Kraut Recipes

NOT-SO-SOUR KRAUT

Steps:

• Empty jars or packaged sauerkraut into a colander and give a quick rinse. This step takes the strong bite out of the kraut. Cut each kielbasa link diagonally into 3-4 pieces. Peel and halve potatoes. Add all ingredients to a large stock pot and cover with water. Bring to boil over medium heat, turn down and simmer 1-2 hours. Drain and serve piping hot. Serve with horseradish and ketchup if desired.
• Also an easy crockpot meal! Same method, cook 6-8 hours on low, 3-4 hours on high.

HOMEMADE SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Quarter cabbages and remove cores; slice 1/8 in. thick. In an extra-large bowl, combine salt and cabbage. With clean hands, squeeze cabbage until it wilts and releases liquid, about 10 minutes. If desired, add optional ingredients., Firmly pack cabbage mixture into 4-quart fermenting crock or large glass container, removing as many air bubbles as possible. If cabbage mixture is not covered by 1-2 inches of liquid, make enough brine to cover by 1-2 inches. To make brine, combine 4-1/2 teaspoons canning salt per 1 quart of water in a saucepan; bring to a boil until salt is dissolved. Cool brine before adding to crock., Place crock weight over cabbage; the weight should be submerged in the brine. Or, place an inverted dinner plate or glass pie plate over cabbage. The plate should be slightly smaller than the container opening, but large enough to cover most of the shredded cabbage mixture. Weigh down the plate with 2 or 3 sealed quart jars filled with water. If using a glass container with a lid, cover the opening loosely so any gas produced by the fermenting cabbage can escape. Alternately, you can cover the opening with a clean, heavy towel. If using a crock, seal according to manufacturer's instructions. , Store crock, undisturbed, at 70°-75° for 3-4 weeks (bubbles will form and aroma will change). Cabbage must be kept submerged below surface of the fermenting liquid throughout fermentation. Check crock 2-3 times each week; skim and remove any scum that may form on top of liquid. Fermentation is complete when bubbling stops. Transfer to individual containers. Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

SWEET-AND-SOUR SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Cook onion and garlic in oil in a 3 1/2- to 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally (stir more frequently toward end of cooking), until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Increase heat to moderate, then add cumin and allspice and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add tomatoes (including juice), brown sugar, salt, and pepper and simmer, stirring occasionally and breaking up tomatoes, 10 minutes. Stir in sauerkraut and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until most of liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes.

AWESOME SWEET AND SOUR KRAUT!

Steps:

• Combine the seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl.
• Heat the oil in a 6 quart pot over high heat just until the oil begins to smoke, about 4 minutes.
• Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to brown, about 8 minutes.
• Stir in the cabbage, apples, garlic, and ginger and cook, stirring frequently, for 4 minutes.
• Add the vinegar and scrape up all the brown bits on the bottom of the pot.
• Stir in the wine, brown sugar, and the seasoning mix.
• Cover, reduce the heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender and cooked down very well, about 25 to 30 minutes.
• Can be served hot or cold, almost anytime, almost anywhere.

EASY HOMEMADE SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Mix cabbage, onion, sea salt, and garlic together in a bowl. Firmly pack mixture into a large, clean, food-grade plastic bucket. The cabbage will start to make its own brine as the salt starts to draw out the water of the cabbage.
• Fill a large, clean, food-grade plastic bag with water and place over the salted cabbage mixture so none of the cabbage is exposed to air.
• Allow cabbage to ferment in a cool, dry place, 1 to 4 weeks (depending on how tangy you like your sauerkraut). The temperature of the room you ferment the sauerkraut in should not rise above 70 degrees F (21 degrees C).