Braised Sauerkraut

with Apples and Cider
Homemede Sauerkraut
Prep Time: 
25 minutes
Number of Servings: 
Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 12 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 Granny Smith or other tart apples, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 3 cups drained sauerkraut, store-bought (from a 112-lb jar)*
  • 1 12 cups apple cider
  • 12 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Put oil and cumin seeds in a large (12 inches or wider), deep fry­ing pan and place over medium heat. When seeds start to sizzle, add apples and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes, until apples start to soften.
  2. Stir in sauerkraut and cider and bring to a simmer. Adjust heat to maintain a simmer, cover partially, and cook for about 15 min­utes, until apples are just tender. If more than a little liquid remains, uncover pan and simmer vigor­ously for a few more minutes to reduce liquid. (This is a matter of per­sonal preference, however. If you like more liquid, you can leave it.)
  3. Stir in pepper. Serve hot or at room temperature. The sauerkraut will keep, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat before serving.

Notes

  • For the best quality, look for fresh sauerkraut (fermented using only salt, water, and cabbage) in the refriger­ated section; avoid the canned versions.
  • If the sauerkraut you find contains vinegar or other ingredients, give it a quick rinse and drain it well before using it in this recipe.
Nutrition Info: 
123 Calories, 1 g Protein, 15 g Carbohydrates, 4 g Fiber, 7 g Total fat (1 g sat, 5 g mono, 1 g poly), 347 mg Sodium, Vitamin C, Iron, Manganese

Acclaimed by doctors and nutritionists for their powerful health benefits, brassicas such as kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage can also be the most delicious part of your meal when properly prepared.

The 80 inventive recipes in this book play to each vegetable’s strengths, favoring techniques that celebrate their intrinsic flavors instead of masking them under layers of cheese or boiling them to death. Think of the inherent sweetness that can be coaxed from perfectly roasted Brussels sprouts, or the bright, peppery punch of a watercress and arugula salad.

Straightforward cooking methods like roasting, sautéing, pickling, and stir-frying transform brassicas into satisfying dishes.

Contributor

Laura B. Russell

Laura Russell is a writer and recipe developer based in Portland, Oregon.

She is the author of Brassicas and The Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen, and former associate editor of the cookbook division of Food & Wine.