Pioneer Woman Pork And Sauerkraut Recipes

PORK CHOPS WITH BEER SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Combine the paprika, coriander, 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste in a small bowl. Season both sides of the pork with this spice mixture.
• Add the oil to the preheated skillet. Add the pork in a single layer in the pan. Cook, without moving, until lightly golden brown, about 1 minute. Flip the meat and scoot to the outer edges of the pan. To the open space in the middle, add the onions and a pinch of salt. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring the onions occasionally.
• Add the sauerkraut and continue cooking until the onions have softened and the sauerkraut turns golden brown, about 1 1/2 minutes. Add the beer and deglaze the pan, scraping with a wooden spoon to get up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Cook until the sauce reduces slightly, about 30 seconds.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley. Serve the pork chops topped with the sauerkraut mixture, any accumulated juices and mustard.

PORK LOIN, SAUERKRAUT AND DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• For the pork loin, pressure cooker method:
• In a pressure cooker set on high heat, brown the pork in the oil on all sides. Season with salt and pepper. Add about 6 cups water or broth so there is about 1 1/2 inches. For larger roasts, add 1/2-inch more liquid per pound. Pressure cook until the pork is extremely tender and falling apart, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. (This is important to the dish.) Remove the meat from the pot and reserve the juices.
• For the pork loin, oven method:
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Pierce the pork with a knife and insert the slices of garlic different parts of the roast. Season with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a heavy cast iron pot over high heat. Sear the pork until brown. Add the beef broth and vermouth (this will also deglaze the pan) and cover the pot with a lid. Bake, basting frequently with the pan juices, until the pork is pink and juicy inside but not dry and gray, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Be sure to periodically check your roast, as you want the roast to be pink and juicy inside, not dry and gray. Remove the meat from the pot and reserve the juices.
• Combine the cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold water. Slowly whisk the cornstarch mixture into the pan juices to thicken the juices so they will stick to the pork and dumplings. (However, Grandma and Grandpa preferred the traditional thinner juice.)
• For the potato dumplings:
• While the meat is cooking, prepare the dumplings. Place a pot of water to boil.
• Place the potato flakes in a large bowl. Place the milk, butter and 2 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat. Pour the potato mixture over the potato flakes and whip with a fork until smooth. Let cool.
• Add the eggs to the potatoes and mix well. Add 2 cups of flour and mix until a dough forms, adding more flour if needed.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured bread board and knead in more flour until the dough is stiff and doesn't stick to your hands. Break off small pieces and form into flat balls, drop into rapidly boiling water. Bring back to a boil and cook 10 to 15 minutes. Cut 1 and if it isn't sticky inside, they are done.
• For the sauerkraut:
• Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pot. Add the onion and cook until transparent. Add the sauerkraut, vermouth, beef bouillon to taste, caraway seeds to taste, salt (not much) and pepper. Simmer until the flavors meld, 30 to 45 minutes. Serve along side the pork.
• For serving:
• This was usually done homestyle. Place some pork, a dumpling (cut into hearty, bit-size pieces) and some sauerkraut on a plate. Then pass and spoon or drizzle some of the reserved meat juices over the pork and dumplings--this ties everything all together and gives you a forkful of flavor in each bite.
• There you have it: hearty, stick-to-your-ribs pork, dumplings and sauerkraut--an excellent dish on a cold, frosty night!