Polish Bigos (Hunter’s Stew)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 16
Description
Polish Bigos, also known as Hunter’s Stew, is a hearty and comforting dish perfect for chilly winter days. This stew is a delightful mix of flavors and textures, combining sauerkraut, pork, bacon, and kielbasa with a hint of juniper and herbs. It’s a dish that gets better with time, making it ideal for making ahead and reheating for even more robust flavors.
Ingredients
- 4 cups sauerkraut
- 1 lb bacon
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup water
- 4 bay leaves
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 heads of cabbage, finely chopped
- 2 lbs country-style pork ribs
- 2 lbs smoked kielbasa
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
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Prepare the Meat: In a large heavy pot, brown the country-style pork ribs until golden brown.
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Simmer with Smoked Butt: Add the smoked kielbasa and 1 cup of water to the pot with the pork ribs. Simmer for 1 hour.
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Add Sauerkraut and Apple Juice: Stir in the sauerkraut and 1 cup of apple juice. Mix well.
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Incorporate Cabbage: Add the finely chopped cabbage to the sauerkraut mixture. Season generously with black pepper and salt. Cover and simmer for another hour.
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Maintain Low Simmer: After simmering, keep the pot on very low heat without the lid to intensify flavors.
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Prepare Bacon: In a separate pan, fry the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon from the pan and crumble it into the sauerkraut mixture.
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Cook Onions and Mushrooms: In the same pan used for bacon, remove most of the fat. Fry the chopped onions and sliced mushrooms until they just start to brown. Add flour and stir until combined.
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Combine All Ingredients: Mix the onion-mushroom mixture into the sauerkraut pot.
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Add Kielbasa and Tomatoes: Cut the smoked kielbasa into slices and add it along with the diced tomatoes to the sauerkraut mixture.
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Simmer and Serve: Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve hot with rye bread and mashed potatoes.
This Polish Bigos recipe is a celebration of flavors and textures, perfect for gatherings or a cozy family meal. Enjoy the rich aroma and hearty taste of this traditional Hunter’s Stew, and savor how it improves with every reheat!
