Quick Sauerkraut Food

EASY HOMEMADE SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Mix cabbage, onion, sea salt, and garlic together in a bowl. Firmly pack mixture into a large, clean, food-grade plastic bucket. The cabbage will start to make its own brine as the salt starts to draw out the water of the cabbage.
• Fill a large, clean, food-grade plastic bag with water and place over the salted cabbage mixture so none of the cabbage is exposed to air.
• Allow cabbage to ferment in a cool, dry place, 1 to 4 weeks (depending on how tangy you like your sauerkraut). The temperature of the room you ferment the sauerkraut in should not rise above 70 degrees F (21 degrees C).

HOW TO MAKE SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Thoroughly wash a large tub or bowl (we used on the size of a small washing-up bowl), then rinse with boiling water from the kettle. Make sure that your hands, and everything else coming into contact with the cabbage, are very clean. It's wise to use a container that will comfortably fit the softened cabbage, allowing several inches of room at the top to avoid overflow.
• Shred the cabbage thinly - a food processor makes light work of this. Layer the cabbage and the salt in the tub or bowl. Massage the salt into the cabbage for 5 mins, wait 5 mins, then repeat. You should end up with a much-reduced volume of cabbage sitting in its own brine. Mix in the caraway seeds and the peppercorns.
• Cover the surface of the cabbage entirely with a sheet of cling film, then press out all the air bubbles from below. Weigh the cabbage down using a couple of heavy plates, or other weights that fit your bowl, and cover as much of the cabbage as possible. The level of the brine will rise to cover the cabbage a little. Cover the tub and leave in a dark place at a cool room temperature (about 18-20C) for at least five days. It will be ready to eat after five days, but for maximum flavour leave the cabbage to ferment for anywhere between 2-6 weeks (or until the bubbling subsides).
• Check the cabbage every day or so, releasing any gases that have built up as it ferments, giving it a stir to release the bubbles. If any scum forms, remove it, rinse the weights in boiling water and replace the cling film. You should see bubbles appearing within the cabbage, and possibly some foam on the top of the brine. It's important to keep it at an even, cool room temperature - too cool and the ferment will take longer than you'd like, too warm and the sauerkraut may become mouldy or ferment too quickly, leading to a less than perfect result.
• The cabbage will become increasingly sour the longer it's fermented, so taste it now and again. When you like the flavour, transfer it to smaller sterilised jars. Will keep in the fridge for up to six months.

QUICK FRESH SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Heat oil in pan over medium-high heat and cook onion, stirring constantly, until it begins to soften and turn translucent.
• Add cabbage, cider, vinegar, water, salt and caraway seeds and bring to a boil.
• Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for approximately 30 to 45 minutes, until the cabbage is tender. Add a little water if it gets too dry.
• This can be kept in the fridge for 2 weeks.

QUICK SAUERKRAUT WITH GRILLED BRATS AND MUSTARD BAR

Steps:

• Preheat a grill for direct and indirect cooking.
• Toss the cabbage with the shallots, vinegar, brown sugar and 1 tablespoon salt in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Stir well and let stand for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place the brats on the indirect heat portion of the grill and grill, turning occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F, 15 to 18 minutes. Move the brats over to the direct side of the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
• While the brats finish grilling, melt the butter in a large skillet placed directly on the grill. Add the caraway seeds and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the sauerkraut and stir until well coated. Stir in the dill if using.
• Serve the bratwursts with the sauerkraut and assorted mustards on the side.

HOMEMADE SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Combine water, 1/2 of the vinegar, and onion in a pot over high heat; add cabbage, sea salt, celery seed, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Pour the remaining vinegar over cabbage mixture. Cover pot and bring water to a boil; cook mixture for about 3 minutes.
• Stir cabbage mixture and return lid to pot; cook, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is tender and wilted, 10 to 15 minutes more.

SAUSAGE SCHNITZEL WITH QUICK SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Sauerkraut:
• Add the oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Drop in the cabbage and saute for a few minutes until the greens have slightly wilted. Add the remaining ingredients to the pan and cook until the liquid has reduced by half and cabbage is tender but still has a slight crunch. Set aside.
• Mustard:
• Whisk together all of the ingredients in a small bowl and set the sauce aside.
• Schnitzel:
• Set up a breading station using 3plates or pie dishes. To the first dish, add the flour. In the second dish, combine the eggs with the water and whisk them together. In the third dish, toss the bread crumbs with the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and healthy pinches of salt and pepper, to taste.
• Lightly dredged the sausages in the flour, then in the egg wash, and then coat them thoroughly in the bread crumb mixture. Set them aside on a sheet tray.
• Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the sausages until brown and crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• Slice open each roll lengthwise and stuff them with the fried sausages. Top the portions with some sauerkraut, drizzle with the mustard and serve.

QUICK SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine cabbage, vinegar, salt, and 1 1/4 cups water. Cover, and cook over medium, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is tender, 30 to 35 minutes (if bottom of pan starts to brown, add 1/4 cup more water). To store, refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

SAUSAGE SCHNITZEL WITH QUICK SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Sauerkraut: Add the oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Drop in the cabbage and saute for a few minutes until the greens have slightly wilted. Add the remaining ingredients to the pan and cook until the liquid has reduced by half and cabbage is tender but still has a slight crunch. Set aside.
• Mustard: Whisk together all of the ingredients in a small bowl and set the sauce aside.
• Schnitzel: Set up a breading station using 3plates or pie dishes. To the first dish, add the flour. In the second dish, combine the eggs with the water and whisk them together. In the third dish, toss the bread crumbs with the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and healthy pinches of salt and pepper, to taste.
• Lightly dredged the sausages in the flour, then in the egg wash, and then coat them thoroughly in the bread crumb mixture. Set them aside on a sheet tray.
• Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the sausages until brown and crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• Slice open each roll lengthwise and stuff them with the fried sausages. Top the portions with some sauerkraut, drizzle with the mustard and serve.