Lynn's Sauerkraut

It's been cold here in the Carolina's too. Another saying comes to mind: "It's colder than a rat's behind"! Personally, I have never felt a rat's behind and would wonder just how the saying got it's start?

Last week, I had a taste for something  hot, tangy and soft, yet with a little crunch and bite. I wanted a casserole type dish that felt like  "winter". Root vegetables are in abundance during the winter months. They're filling and nutritious. I know there is a book out there called "1,000,000 Ways to Cook Cabbage". 

Here is my rendition of  Pork and Sauerkraut. This recipe passed the kid test at home with ages ranging from 10yrs 

PORK STEAK WITH SAURKRAUT
                                                           
2lb. Silver Floss Barrel Cured Sauerkraut (found in the  hot dogs and sausages section) 
4 red potatoes
1 large onion, sliced
1/2 lb. of bacon
2 slices of pork steak 
1 large Granny Smith Apple 
12 oz Hornsby's Hard Cider Crisp Apple or any Apple Hard Cider
1/2 Tbsp. Caraway Seed
1 tsp. Dill 
1/2 tsp. celery seed
1/4 cup sugar
3 tsp. Lawry's Seasoned Salt (or season more, if needed)
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes 
Black pepper 
2 Tbsp. Canola Oil 


Take one tsp. seasoned salt and pepper and sprinkle all over pork steaks. Cut pork steaks into strips; set aside. Cut 1/2 lb. bacon into 1 inch strips. Set aside.


Add cut up bacon to a cold large stock pot or 8 qt. cast iron pot.Heat canola oil in a large stock pot or 8 qt. cast iron pot. Fry up until crisp-8-10 minutes. Remove from skillet (leaving grease in skillet) and set aside. Season pork steak strips with remainder seasoned salt and pepper. In same skillet, add seasoned pork and cook until well done, around 15 minutes. Remove and set aside.


Chop apple into small pieces-set aside. Chop potatoes (with skins on) into small cubes and place in a microwave dish Add a small amount of water and cook potatoes in microwave for 10 minutes.


Saute' cut up onions and apples in cast iron or regular skillet/pot. Add Sauerkraut, potatoes and Hornsby Crisp Apple Hard Cider. Add all seasonings/herbs to dish. You may decrease the salt, if you prefer. Cover and Cook down on medium/low for 35-45 minutes. Stir about every 5 - 7 minutes until most of liquid has evaporated,  then
Serve with a warm crusted bread.


Enjoy!
Thefryegirl2u



 

THE BEST SAURKRAUT HANDS DOWN!

 I saw a recipe for saurkraut online that I fell in love with so much that I Why would I make it? A recipe online used COKE as the Primary Ingredient to take out that "Edge" that saurkraut has, that tends to discourage a lot of dislikers for the fermented cabbage. Be Adventureous and try it! My Family Loved It!

2 Pounds of saurkraut, Rinsed and Drained ( Use your favorite or not so favorite)

12 ounces of Cola (May use Diet Cola)

Start with a * Cold Skillet or a cast iron skillet.  Fry up a pound of bacon (Save drippings)

1 large onion

1 TBSP. Caraway Seed (Optional)

1 TBSP Brown Sugar

Salt and Pepper (to your taste)

In a cast iron pot, place drippings from bacon and heat on medium high heat. Slice onions thinly, then saute' for approximately 5 minutes in bacon drippings. Add saurkraut, Caraway Seed (Optional) and Brown Sugar. Add Cola (Use more, if needed), then reduce to low heat, cover and let simmer for an  hour, adding more cola as needed. Salt and  pepper to taste. I sometimes serve this Saurkraut with Grilled Brats instead of Fried Pork Chops. Sliced Granny Smith Apples (2 - 4) Sauteed in 3  TBSP. unsalted butter sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar also makes a Great Accompaniment!

Enjoy!

Smothered Southern Fried Cubed Beef Liver with Mushrooms, Onions, Bacon and Gravy

I've updated my Liver Recipe. Hope you like it! ( August 28, 2021)

1 pound Cubed Liver

Mushrooms Cremona or white - 8 Ounces ( Sliced )

1 Large Onion, Sliced Thick

1 pound Thick Sliced Smokey Bacon

Swanson Chicken Broth 99% Fat  Free - 1 Quart

3 TBSP Unsalted  Butter

3 TBSP All  PURPOSE FLOUR

 1 Beatened Egg ( Set aside in dish )

1/3 Cup of Water ( Stir in egg dish)

1 Cup of All Purpose Flour ( Mix in large dish ) or *GF all Purpose Flour

Sazon Goya Seasoning Packet

Thyme - 2 Teaspoons

Lowry Seasoned Salt (Lightly Salt both sides of Liver)

Cracked Black  Pepper ( To taste)

8 ounce bag of Mild or Medium shredded Cheddar Cheese

Canola Oil ( 1 1/2 to 2 inches )

Spray Casserole Dish with Cooking Spray

Pre - Heat Oven to 375 Degrees



Season cubed liver with Lowry Seasoned Salt and cracked black pepper.

Toss Goya Seasoning packet and  Thyme into Flour.

Dip Seasoned Cubed Liver into Seasoned Flour ( Press down) then into  egg wash, then press lightly back into Seasoned Flour. Set Aside.

In cold skillet, preferably cast iron Fry bacon until crispy; Sprinkle with Cracked Black Pepper, then cut into squares; Set aside

In same skillet, Saute' mushrooms and onions in melted butter for 5 minutes, 

Remove oil mixture from skillet. Clean skillet 

Add Enough  Canola oil to skillet to Fry the liver.. Heat to 375 Degrees. 

Add a popcorn kernel or a small piece of bread. When popcorn pops or bread browns,  the oil, is ready. 

Fry Seasoned Flour  Liver 6 Minutes each side. 5-7 minutes per side. Turn off burner and let any leftover oil from skillet cool down. Then discard oil.  

Take equal parts of flour and butter and saute in skillet for 5 minutes ( Light to medium brown) . 

Slowly Add chicken broth, stirring frequently until smooth and  creamy. Stir in mushroom onion mixture

Grease Large casserole dish. Lightly coat bottom of dish with chicken broth mixture; Add Fried Cubed Liver, Bacon and remaining chicken gravy. Sprinkle Cheddar Cheese all on top of casserole.Bake at 375 Degrees for 40 minutes.  Serve over fluffly white or brown rice of your choice.

RICE - Serves 4

1 CUP RICE 

2 CUPS WATER

2 tsp. Butter or Margerine

 Add 1 cup of the rice ( rinse rice of you prefer) and 2 cups of water, then bring to boil, reduce to medium low heat; Cover boiler and simmer for 20 minutes. Set Aside;  If using brown rice double the time for cooking the rice.

Fluff rice with fork first

 When ready to serve with Liver, .