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Polish Sausage, Sauerkraut & Potatoes. The combination of simmering sauerkraut with sausage creates a comforting scent that feels cozy to the senses. The traditional Polish recipe delivers hearty simplicity with no fuss in preparation, making it ideal for homemade dinners during busy days. The potatoes become saturated with the tangy and smoky sauce while the sausage provides depth to the dish, and the sauerkraut binds all elements together in a nourishing single meal.
This recipe functions as outstanding comfort food, no matter if you are preparing it for weeknights or potlucks, or simply want a warm meal during a cold evening at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The crockpot operates independently to complete all cooking tasks.
- The recipe contains basic ingredients that serve the whole family at an economical price.
- The dish carries traditional and comforting flavors that bring to mind memories of a grandmother’s kitchen.
- You can prepare this dish with any type of sausage, including Polish sausage and smoked sausage, and kielbasa.
Ingredients:
- 2 (14-ounce) cans sauerkraut, undrained (or 1 bag, 2 pounds)
- 5–6 potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
- 1 cup water (or chicken broth for more flavor)
- 1 pound Polish sausage, cut into chunks (smoked sausage works too)
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
1. Start by adding sauerkraut, followed by potatoes, to your slow cooker.
2. Add caraway seeds and bay leaf, and pepper to the mixture.
3. Add water (or broth) to the mixture.
4. The sausage pieces need to be placed on top of the dish.
5. Cover and cook: On high for 4 hours, or on low for 6 hours, until the potatoes are tender.
6. Remove bay leaf before serving.
Tips & Tricks:
- Want more flavor? Add sliced onions or a couple of garlic cloves.
- You can substitute water with chicken broth or add a small amount of beer to enhance the flavor.
- A small amount of sweetness can be achieved by adding chopped apple pieces and shredded carrots to the dish.
- To create a complete meal, serve the dish with rye bread or crusty rolls.
- The flavors of this dish become more enjoyable after one day of refrigeration.
FAQ:
1. Can I use fresh sauerkraut instead of canned?
Yes! Just make sure it’s not too dry. If needed, add an extra splash of broth.
2. What kind of sausage works best?
Traditional Polish sausage (kielbasa) should be used, but smoked sausage and bratwurst make suitable replacements.
3. Do I need to peel the potatoes?
It’s up to you! The potatoes remain soft when peeled, but maintaining their skin produces a textured, rustic appearance.
4. Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can prepare every ingredient for the crockpot the previous night, before refrigerating it until the next day for cooking.
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