Sauerkraut With Dill By Sy Recipes

EASY DILL SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Prep the napa cabbage by rinsing away any visible dirt, removing the outer leaves and trimming off the stem. Set leaves and stem aside for later.
• Shred the napa cabbage.
• Place half of the cabbage in a large bowl or pot and add half of the salt. Massage the cabbage until it begins to sweat. Add the remaining cabbage and salt and then repeat the massaging process.
• Roughly chop the dill.
• Add the dill to your cabbage and mix to combine.
• Pack your jar with the cabbage and dill mixture. Leave about 1-2" of head space.
• Place fermenting weight or outer leaves and stem on top to be sure everything is submerged in brine.
• Cap or place an airlock device on jar and leave sit at room temperature for 3-4 weeks.

SAUERKRAUT WITH DILL BY SY

Steps:

• Remove the outside leaves of the cabbage, cut out the core and quarter the head.
• Slice/Shred the cabbage into thin strips.
• In a wide Corningware dish (or crock pot) add a layer of the shredded cabbage and sprinkle salt on top, add some dill and toss.
• Next add another layer and sprinkle with salt, dill and toss, etc.
• Add luke warm water to cover the cabbage mixture and toss. (Note: It is important to have enough liquid cover the cabbage all the time. As needed add more liquid; 2 tablespoons salt to 1 quart water-to cover.).
• Next put a flat plate on top to press the cabbage down and then cover with cheese cloth. Make sure the cheese cloth does not go over the lip of the dish, but tucked in around the cabbage.
• Next cover with plastic wrap. (You can also use a plastic zip-lock bag filled with water to act as a weight and seal the cabbage from the air. I use the glass Corningware cover upside down and on the plate, as an additional weight.).
• Every few days, remove any scum and poke (I use chopsticks), toss lightly to make sure there are no air pockets.
• Let ferment for about 3-4 weeks.
• Remove any remaining scum/discolored kraut, toss.
• Transfer to a glass container and refrigerate.
• NOTES:
• 1) It is important to completely de-solve the salt if adding more liquid at the beginning or later on. Also, to thoroughly toss the cabbage. Because if you don't the finished sauerkraut will appear "Sandy" due to the salt granules not de-solving completely.
• 2) Please do your homework on making a safe recipe free from bad bacteria. That is, a good sauerkraut, which is fermented and then refrigerated (which can keep up to 1-2 months). This recipe is not intended for the canning process which uses a hot water bath to seal the sauerkraut and can keep for an extended period of time. This recipe is only written as a general guide only and specific quantities of ingredients are not listed. Because it is important for you to search and follow the written/proper proportions (from a published recipe within an established website or cook book) for the cabbage, salt, vinegar, water, etc and recommended "times" for fermentation. So go to the internet and do a search for a good Sauerkraut Recipe.
• Furthermore, go to these URL's as well; National Center for Home Food Preservation,
• http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can6a_ferment.html,
• http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_06/sauerkraut.html,
• And go to the Food dot com message board, Canning, Preserving and Dehydrating,.
• http://www.food.com/bb/viewforum.zsp?f=24.
• Finally, the Ball Book is a good source of how to safely make fermented products as well.
• 3) This recipe and all notes have now been modified from the initial post.

HOMEMADE FERMENTED SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Remove and discard the core of the cabbages, then finely shred.
• Combine 1/2 of the shredded cabbage with 1/2 of the salt in a large bowl; massage and squeeze for several minutes until the cabbage softens; it will be quite moist. Repeat with the remaining cabbage and salt. Leave cabbage at room temperature for 8 hours or overnight.
• Inspect two 1-liter (35-ounce) jars for cracks and rings or lids for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water for about 10 minutes. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Squeeze cabbage and discard any excess liquid. Mix in caraway seeds and transfer to the prepared jars. Wipe the rims with a clean cloth, then screw on lids. Set jars in a cool, dark place on a towel, as they may leak during the fermentation process.
• Ferment for 2 to 3 weeks, to taste. Once sauerkraut is ready, store jars in the fridge to slow the fermentation process. Sauerkraut will keep in the fridge for several months.