Hearty Polish Hunter’s Stew with Sauerkraut and Kielbasa

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

1. Prepare the Meat: In a large heavy pot, brown the country-style pork ribs until golden brown.

2. Simmer with Smoked Butt: Add the smoked kielbasa and 1 cup of water to the pot with the pork ribs. Simmer for 1 hour.

3. Add Sauerkraut and Apple Juice: Stir in the sauerkraut and 1 cup of apple juice. Mix well.

4. Incorporate Cabbage: Add the finely chopped cabbage to the sauerkraut mixture. Season generously with black pepper and salt. Cover and simmer for another hour.

5. Maintain Low Simmer: After simmering, keep the pot on very low heat without the lid to intensify flavors.

6. Prepare Bacon: In a separate pan, fry the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon from the pan and crumble it into the sauerkraut mixture.

7. 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.

8. Combine All Ingredients: Mix the onion-mushroom mixture into the sauerkraut pot.

9. Add Kielbasa and Tomatoes: Cut the smoked kielbasa into slices and add it along with the diced tomatoes to the sauerkraut mixture.

10. 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!