Kraut ( Cabbage ) Knödel ( Dumpling )

7 cups cooked white rice, from 3 cups uncooked rice, cooled to room temp

3/4 - 1 medium cabbage, sliced into 1/4" wide strips (7 cups sliced)

1 pound ground. Beef

1 pound ground pork ( 20 oz at Winco )

1 pound ground turkey ( 20 oz at Winco )

1 1/2 large onion, divided (1/2 grated and 1/2 finely diced)

4 med eggs

Original Mrs. Dash, or any salt-free all-purpose seasoning or  ( Garlic and Herb from Costco )

Salt and black pepper

2 Tbsp finely chopped parsley or dill

For the Sauce:

1 Tbsp Olive oil

3 Tbsp unsalted butter

3 large carrot, julienned or chopped in Multi Chopper 

2 ( 24 oz jars) store-bought marinara or homemade

4 cups hot water 

Slice cabbage into 1/4" thin slices. 

Steam for 10 Min

Drain and squeeze out excess water 

Oil 2. 9x13 casserole dish, preheat oven to 425˚F.

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, ground pork, drained cabbage and 4 cups cooked rice. 

Grate 1/2 large onion into meat mixture. Add eggs, 1 tsp Mrs Dash, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 2 tsp salt, and 2 Tbsp finely chopped parsley. Mix well. 

Form into Knödel with your hands (each should be about 1/2 cup of the meat mixture). Arrange in oiled casserole.

For the sauce, finely dice remaining  of the large onion. 

Heat a large pot over medium/high heat and add 1 Tbsp oil and 3 Tbsp butter. 

Add diced onion and sauté 5 minutes, stirring occasionally or until softened. 

Add julienned carrot and cook another 3 minutes or until softened. 

Add marinara and 4 cups hot water and bring to a boil. 

Add 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp Mrs Dash, or season to taste.

Pour sauce over Dumplings until they are nearly covered. 

Cover with foil and bake on medium rack at 425˚F for 40 min. 

I only cook for 30 Min and freeze, then thaw and cook at 350' for about 15 min.

My Mama, Tante Maria and Sauerkraut Crock making

I remember as a little girl my Mutti ( Mom ) and my Tante ( Aunt ) Marie
would just about every 3 month disappear into the root cellar at my aunts house.


We all know that they where making more sauerkraut in the crock.

Which they did of course,
BUT always wondered WHY are they making Kraut already again,
not eaten that much of it even thou it was for 3 families.

Low and behold to our surprise when we girls got a little older.
The Kraut was Wine Kraut like i mentioned it my very first post on the Blog

So that said, a layer of Kraut, then the Salt, then the white wine,
THEN a swig of wine to each Lady, lol.
And repeat !!!

We had a very happy Mutti and Tante every 3 month or so,

Sure miss those ladies and there great times together.

Irish Cream ( No not German but close, IRISH !!! )

This recipe is from our Son in law Josh's Mama.

1      8 oz   condensed Milk

      16 oz   of 1/2 & 1/2

1        tsp   Vanilla

1/3   Cup   Amaretto

1      Tbsp  instant Coffee

1/3    Cup   chocolate Syrup

1 1/2 Cup   Whiskey, we use the cheaper kind

1/2    Cup    Everclear (Moonshine). We get the 95% Alcohol in Montana, Wa state is 75 or 80 i think



Pour together into blender or food processor, mix well. Pour into bottle and enjoy.

Remember since there is a dairy product in it the expiring date it about 4 weeks after your half and half will show, Never a problem in this house.

I  make 1 1/2 of the recipe since the condensed milk comes in 12 oz.

Red Wine Cake

My Mutti got this recipe from a Radio show in Germany and its been a hit in our family and with our friends for over 30 years, so this credit goes to my Mama


300          gr      Butter, each stick is 113 grams, so just take a bit of each

1 1/4        Cup   Sugar

2              pkg    Vanille sugar, or 2 tsp of Vanilla

6                         Eggs

1 1/2         tsp     Cinnamon

1 1/2         tsp     ground Clove

4               Tbsp  Baking powder

2 1/8         Cup   Flour

200-300    gr      Chocolate sprinkles (see picture)

3/4            Cup   Red wine

Mix all together the first 4 ingredients, then all the try and last the wine and sprinkles and pour into well greased Bundt Cake form

Bake at 350' for 1 Hour, check  in case it need a few minutes more, some stoves do.

, this picture is 1 1/2 of recipe and into large loaf pans.
Took about 1.5 Hours to bake





I love this cake , specially when we have a little red wine left.

Krautwickel ( Cabbage Rolls )

3-4 head of Cabbage,

• cut out middle core,open head as much as possible and cook in boiling salty water until soft. I start pulling the leaves of, (put into large bowl as you take them off ) as they become soft so the remaining leafs have a change to soften at the same density

2-3 Onions minced and saute, set aside

4 lb of ground Beef, brown and strain

1  lb of ground Pork, brown together with ground beef and strain

• Now mix Meats,onions together and add remaining ingredients :

Mix together spice mix first:

2 TBSP  Salt, Pepper  each

1 TBSP  Sweet Paprika

2 TBSP  Majoran
4 clove   Garlic

4 cups    cooked Rice

Mix together liquid mix first:

2 cups    Chix Broth

2 sml     Tomato puree

3 cans    Tomato sauce

2 TBSP  Sugar
              fresh Parsley

• then add to Meat and spice mixture, adjust the liquid mix and spices as needed.
• I cook from the Hip so you going to have to do the same or at least some of it.
• the meat should be just moist enough that it will stick together when put into leaf

Use a large Turkey roaster or deep baking dish and add 1-2 cans of Tomato Sauce to the bottom, depends on how big your dish is. I used a Turkey roaster and used 2 cans

Take your Cabbage leaf add a large spoon of mixture about 2x2 inch, or less depends on the size of the leaf , into middle and roll together and with sealed site down into pot.

Add 1-2 cans of  Tomato Sauce, then repeat the layering until pot is full.

Now this will make about 60 small to large sizes due to the size of the cabbage leafs of course.

You can prep in advance and freeze, if so take out the night before and let defrost at room temperature.

Leftovers can be frozen again, great party meal for many guests.
I have to give credit to our friend Glenda Biedler von Canada but German descent, for this recipe.
We like her's better then mine,so there you go.

Click on each picture to enlarge

Jakobmuschel = scalloped Potatoes

6 med to large potatoes cooked, then peel and cut into large large cubes ( about 8 pieces per potato )
2 cups Cottage cheese
1 cup of Sour Cream
1/2 to 1 cup of diced onion or green onion
1/2 to 1 cup of shredded cheese ( i use cheddar )
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
mix the last 6 ingredients together, then fold in potatoes.
Add 1/2 cup of cheese on top
Put into casserole dish and bake at 350 for about 30-45 min.

6 portions

Gurken Salad ( Cucumber Salat )

2 english Cucumbers thinly sliced
1 med Onion, diced
4     Tbsp. or more, German or champagne Vinegar
4-6  Tbsp. Olive oil
1- 1 1/2 Cups of Whipping Cream
Salt,Pepper,Sugar
1-2 Tsp. of Dill

This Salad can be prepared 1 day in advance, it even tasted better if made ahead.

Nudel Salad ( German Noodle Salat )

1 lb of Barilla Rotini, cooked

3-4 large Pickles, small cubed
( german pickles would be the better choice, they are between a sweet and dill pickle )

1 can ( 16oz ) of   Peas & Carrots, drained
1 can ( 16 oz) of   Corn,drained
Chives
Parsley
4 Tbsp. Mayonnaise
2     Tbsp. Pickle Juice
2-4 Tbsp. Whipping Cream
Salt, Pepper and a dash of Paprika

Optional:
Add cubed Ham or Bologna or any other Lunch meat you like, about 1 Cup.

Schwedensalad ( German Cole Slaw)

1 med. Shredded Cabbage
3-4 lg. Shredded Carrots
1          Leek, finely chopped

Salt, Pepper
1-2 Tbsp. of German vinegar or champagne vinegar
2    Tbsp. of Olive Oil
3-4 Tbsp. of Mayonnaise 
1     Tsp.  of Sugar
3     Tbsp. of Whipping Cream or Sour Cream

adjust the ingredient to your likening.

Kartoffel Schinken Rösti ( German Hash Brown Casserole )

30 oz of Hash browns ( i like Alexis golden Yukon frozen hash brown the best, just use 2 bags, they are each 16 oz )

1 lb of Black forest Ham, cubed ( you can also use already cubed packaged Hillshire Ham from the  store,Link Sausage cut into pieces can be used as well, or other sausages or meats. )

1 med onion, diced
6 Eggs whipped
1 can of Evaporated Milk ( 12 oz )
2 Cups of shredded cheddar cheese ( i like the 3 mixed, Mexican cheese. )
Salt, Pepper
Optional, a red pepper cubed.

Mix all ingredients together and add to a greased ( spray with pam ) 9x13 casserole dish.
Bake at 350' for about 70 Min.
Check to see if casserole is set, with knife tip.
will come out clean if all the way cooked

This dish can be prepared 1-2 days prior for company and put into refrigerator until needed.

Kartoffel Salad ( German Potato Salat )

Serving about 6-8

8-10 large Golden Yukon Potatoes ( or at least yellow, will not taste the same if you use any other kind )
1      large yellow Onion, finely diced

3/4   lb diced Bacon ( just cut the strips into 1/2 inch pieces ) 

        if you really like bacon increase the amount to 1 lb.3-5   Tbsp. Olive Oil

6-8   Tbsp. White Wine Vinegar, ( of course i use a German product and if you can get it will make                                                        a difference but at least try to use a champagne vinegar )
2       Tbsp.Parsley  ( fresh or dried )
Salt,Pepper

You can cook the potatoes 1 day ahead, after cooling peel and cut into 1inch x 1 inch pieces.
Keep in a large covered bowl until you are ready to finish salad.

Fry bacon until crispy, about half way cooked add the diced onions and finish cooking.
Add the bacon,onion and the GREASE from the bacon into cut potatoes.

Add vinegar,salt,pepper,parsley and half of olive oil. Mixed carefully, do not get the salad all mushy.

You might have to add the rest of the olive oil or even more since some bacon is leaner then other.
Taste and adjust.
I usually start adding another 1 Tbsp of vinegar, then salt and pepper and if at all needed a tsp of sugar, but only if your vinegar is making the salad a little on the sour tasting side.

I hope you will enjoy this Salad as much as my company always does.

SAUERKRAUT

1 Can or Jar of Wine Kraut (796ml, or 1 1/2 lb. )
  ( I like Hengstenberg or Kühne, if you can get it)

1 bottle of Lager beer, not the cheap or light
   beer or dark only if that is all you have.
 
2-3 Chicken Broth Cubes
2 heaped Tbsp. of brown sugar
1-2 Bay leaves
1-2 Tbsp. of caraway seeds.

Mix together in a pot and either simmer on stove for 30-40 min.

Or put into oven at 375 ' for about 30-45 Min.
Do stir in between the cooking time.

You can also roast a pork roast in a separate pot and cook for 1/2 of its cooking time then add it to sauerkraut and cook together in oven
for 30-45 min.

Not knowing your oven do check the kraut.
You want it al dente not mushy.
It also freezes well but if you make a big batch take out the amount you want to freeze about 10 min before finished meal so when you reheat after freezing you have that extra time to heat through.

However i have just froze the kraut after my dinner parties and it still taste well, sometimes a little soft.

Make enough and freeze in quantities for your Reuben Sandwiches. ( That recipe will follow )

Buying Sauerkraut

If you have a chance to purchase WINE Sauerkraut, that is the only one you want to buy.

It is milder but also taste's hardier then regular kraut.

If you do find some, DO NOT RINSE, use as is out of can,jar or bag



Of course the way you prepare Sauerkraut makes a BIG difference as well.


HAPPY HUNTING, there are many German Stores in WA state as well as in Canada,
even some of the local Grocery stores carry German WINE Kraut

Guten Tag ( Hello, good day )

Any special recipe you would like me to upload.
Now remember there are a few i ONLY share with my family and the bestes friends.