Choucroute Garnie (Garnished Sauerkraut)

Ingredients

• 3 pounds sauerkraut
• 2 tablespoons lard or solid white shortening
• 1 ½ cups finely chopped onions
• 1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
• 6 smoked pork hocks, about 2 1/2 pounds
• ½ cup dry white wine
• 1 ½ cups fresh or canned chicken broth
• 4 sprigs parsley
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried
• 2 whole cloves
• 6 juniper berries, optional
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 pound finely ground pork
• 1 teaspoon finely crushed caraway seeds
• ¼ cup finely chopped parsley
• Salt to taste, if desired
• Freshly ground pepper to taste
• 1 ½ pounds smoked pork butt or porkette
• 1 pound kielbasa (Polish sausages)

• Nutritional Information

  • Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

    1167 calories; 82 grams fat; 29 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 35 grams monounsaturated fat; 9 grams polyunsaturated fat; 17 grams carbohydrates; 8 grams dietary fiber; 6 grams sugars; 84 grams protein; 303 milligrams cholesterol; 2606 milligrams sodium

  Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
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6 or more servings

Preparation

1. Put the sauerkraut in a colander and rinse well. Press with the hands to extract excess liquid.
2. Heat the lard in a large, heavy casserole or Dutch oven. Add one cup of the chopped onions and the garlic. Cook, stirring, until wilted chopped and add the pork hocks. Scatter sauerkraut over all. Add the wine and chicken broth.
3. Tie the parsley sprigs, bay leaf and thyme into a small bundle and add it. Add the cloves and juniper berries. Cover closely and bring to a boil.
4. Meanwhile, heat the butter in a saucepan and add the remaining half cup of chopped onion. Cook, stirring, until wilted.
5. Put the pork in a mixing bowl and add the cooked onions, caraway seeds and chopped parsley. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Blend the pork mixture well. Shape it into 12 balls of approximately the same size. Arrange them on top of the sauerkraut. Add the smoked pork butt and continue cooking.
7. When the sauerkraut and meats have cooked for 30 minutes after the first boil, add the kielbasa. Cover and cook 15 minutes longer. Serve the sauerkraut with the sliced meats and potatoes.

45 minutes