German Sauerkraut with Bacon
Bavarian sauerkraut side dish.
In early days, during the cold winter months, Kraut (cabbage) was a basic food product for farming families. It stayed edible for a long time, offered important vitamins and could be farmed in places where many other vegetables couldn’t.
Even “sauer” is the German word for “tangy” the “Sauerkraut” did not receive it´s name from being tangy. In fact German sauerkraut is very mild in taste and not tangy like the “Sauerkraut” you can buy in the US: Sauerkraut received it´s name from the fermenting of lactic acid (Milchsäure).
Fermentation is one of the oldest conservation techniques for food.
The exact origin of Sauerkraut is unknown. Though, it is assumed to have first been produced in China. In old China, Sauerkraut was used to provide strength to heavy workers. Rice and fermented cabbage was also fed the people working on the Chinese Wall during the third century B.C. (before Christ).
Nomad Mongol tribes eventually brought the knowledge of fermenting cabbage to Europe.
Bavarian Bacon-Sauerkraut
This bacon sauerkraut is not just utterly delicious.
Okay, it contains bacon, but did you know that sauerkraut can benefit your health? The lactic acids in it kill germs, the vitamin C strengthens your defenses, the fiber supports the intestinal flora. Researchers believe, that certain plant compounds in the sauerkraut can even be preventative against cancer.
How to make German Sauerkraut with Bacon Video Tutorial
Authentic German Sauerkraut with Bacon Recipe
Bavarian Sauerkraut with Bacon
Ingredients
- 32 oz. sauerkraut
- 3 oz. bacon
- 1 medium onion
- 2 tsp. butter
- 1 tsp. garlic paste
- 1 ¼ cups beef broth
- 1 tsp. of salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 tsp. caraway seeds
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- 2 whole juniper berries
- 3 whole all spice
- 1 tsp. of sugar
Instructions
- Cut bacon and onion into small cubes and add to a medium sized pot.
- Add garlic paste and butter, and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
- Add the caraway seeds and sugar and let cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add beef broth and spices.
- Bring to a boil and add the sauerkraut.
- Let simmer for about 1 hour.
Notes
You can prepare sauerkraut the day before, it is one of the dishes that tastes just as good or even better the next day.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Serving Tip
You can serve bacon-sauerkraut to all kinds of German meat dishes.
