Growing up there was always sauerkraut in the house, whether it was homemade or store-bought and the meals made with it were incredible. I know there are people who don’t like sauerkraut and I think a good part of the reason being, it is not cooked properly. I’ve been places that serve it right out of the bottle and it does not have a very appealing taste. One being it is hard and another that it is really sour. I love sauerkraut but I don’t like it when it is not cooked.
The soup my mother and grandmother made was delicious and sometimes it was on the tart side but still delicious. They changed the recipe sometimes. For example it was made from ribs and served with mashed potatoes in the soup or a homemade pasta noodle that was rolled out, torn off, dropped into boiling water and cooked or sometimes the noodle squares were even placed into the soup and cooked. This recipe was given to me by my friend, VJ. She makes it often, reason being all of her family love it, kids and grandchildren.
PREPARATION
Finely chop sauerkraut which has been washed and squeezed about two to three times. This depends on how sour you want it. Place into a stock pot along with some chopped onions and fresh mushrooms.
Next add a large nob of butter and fry for a minute.
Now add water, bay leaves, majorianam, garlic and water.
Chop some dried mushrooms that have been soaked to soften and then add some fresh chopped mushrooms.
Add them to the pot.
Chop some kielbasa and add to the pot.
Next add the prepared meatballs, salt, pepper and cover with a lid that is slightly open. Simmer for 1- 2 hours or until meatballs are cooked and sauerkraut is tender.
Season to taste. This soup is fantastic if you add 1-2 tablespoons of sour cream into your soup bowl when you eat it or add 1 cup into the pot. Stir until well blended, creamy and no more lumps.
ENJOY!
NOTE: I STRONGLY SUGGEST MAKING YOUR OWN MEATBALLS. I HAVE USED BOTH STORE BOUGHT AND HOMEMADE AND THERE IS NO COMPARISON.
INGREDIENTS
HOMEMADE MEATBALLS
2 lbs. ground pork
1 egg
breadcrumbs (I don’t add this)
1 grated potato (opt.)
Salt, pepper and some grated garlic
Combine and form into meatballs. You can freeze or add to the soup.
SOUP
1 cup sauerkraut, washed then squeezed, repeat until you have obtained the amount of sour you like.
1/2 cup barley (VJ adds this but it is totally optional)
1 onion,chopped
1 clove garlic, grated
2-3 bay leaves
salt and pepper
water
Nice recipe
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