Description
Polish comfort cooking shines through this hearty kielbasa and sauerkraut medley, blending smoky sausage with tangy fermented cabbage. Rustic flavors meld perfectly, offering a satisfying meal that connects home cooks with traditional Eastern European cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) kielbasa, sliced into rounds
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
- 1 carrot, diced
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Liquids and Oils:
- 32 ounces (946 milliliters) chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Warm of olive oil in a spacious pot over medium temperature, creating a smooth cooking surface for the kielbasa sausage.
- Slice the kielbasa into uniform half-moon shapes and sear them until golden brown edges emerge, approximately 4-5 minutes. Transfer the browned sausage pieces onto a separate plate.
- In the identical pot, introduce diced onions and sauté until translucent and softened, approximately 3-4 minutes. Immediately incorporate minced garlic and allow it to release its aromatic essence for an additional 60 seconds.
- Pour of chicken broth into the pot, followed by cubed potatoes, chopped carrots, and tangy sauerkraut. Sprinkle dried thyme and caraway seeds to enhance the flavor profile.
- Vigorously stir the ingredients to ensure even distribution of seasonings and vegetables. Elevate the heat to trigger a robust boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Allow the mixture to simmer quietly for 20-25 minutes, ensuring potatoes become tender and vegetables absorb the rich broth’s flavors.
- Reintroduce the previously browned kielbasa slices into the simmering pot, letting them reconnect with the other ingredients for an additional 5-7 minutes.
- Carefully taste the soup and calibrate seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to preference.
- Ladle the aromatic soup into warm bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- This hearty Polish-inspired one-pot meal combines smoky kielbasa with tangy sauerkraut for a comforting winter dinner.
- Browning the kielbasa first creates deeper flavor complexity and helps render out some of its delicious fat.
- Use fresh kielbasa for the best taste, preferably from a local butcher or specialty meat shop.
- Caraway seeds add an authentic Eastern European touch, but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Simmering allows potatoes to become tender while melding all ingredients into a rich, satisfying soup.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors continue to develop and integrate.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Polish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 285 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 880 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg