Monday, January 12, 2009

Bobi's Bites: Sausage and Sauerkraut Soup



I finished my chemo treatments this past June and feel great but am suffering from "Chemo Brain". This "Fog" has turned me into one of those people I really don't like. You know the type - you ask them a question and they say they'll have to check and get back to you - and they never do. I am now THAT friend. I hate it! I can't remember dates, times and many faces...but funny thing - when my mom sent me this blog I instantly remembered a poem I learned in 1st grade!
It was found in Father Fox's Pennyrhymes and it went....

The sky is dark, there blows a storm
Our cider is hot, the fire is warm
The snow is deep and the night is long:
Old Father Fox, will you sing us a song?

Mister Lister sassed his sister
Married his wife 'cause he couldn't resist her,
Three plus four times two he kissed her;
How many times is that , dear sister?

Knickerbocker Knockabout
Sausages and Sauerkraut
Run! Run! Run! The hogs are out!
Knickerbocker Knockabout.

I can't remember one of my best friends birthdays - but I can recite a poem I learned in 1st grade about Sausages and Sauerkraut.....that's just the kind of friend I am now!



Although I did not have this soup when I was a child it brings back childhood memories of that book I loved.

The recipe is one my mother received from our mutual friend Sally Issac who now resides in cold Minnesota. We have been loving it for years.

Sauerkraut & Sausage Soup

4 strips bacon, diced
1 medium onion diced
1 large clove garlic chopped
2 pounds polish kiebasa cut into chunks or circles
8 oz. package of sliced mushrooms
6 cups chicken stock or broth
1 bay leaf
3 medium carrots cut into penny shapes
2 ribs of celery sliced diagonally
4 new potatoes, quartered
1 pound sauerkraut, rinsed, and well drained
pepper to taste

Cook bacon in large skillet over medium heat until half done, about five minutes. Add onion, garlic and mushrooms. Cook until onions are softened, about five minutes, stirring occasionally. Increase heat to high. Add sausage and cook until lightly browned, about ten minutes stirring often.

Drain off fat from skillet. Add the contents of the skillet to broth along with the vegetables and sauerkraut. Cook partially covered in a large pot until vegetables are just tender. Add pepper to taste.

To thicken this soup I use one can of Campbell's potato soup and one can of Reed's German potato salad.

One wonderful piece of your favorite bread or crackers of your choice and your meal is complete.

Now go knock yourself out with some Sauerkraut Mr. Lister!

8 comments:

Robin said...

This sounds like a great soup. I would have to leave the best part out- the mushrooms as Himself hates them or I can make a pot for me and not share. Yup that is what will have to happen.

Anonymous said...

This sounds wonderful, I think my family would love it!

I'm sure your friends will forgive you for your forgetfulness!

Sabrina said...

Oh, that sounds good. Eddie said it sounds like 'colon blow'. Yeh, I know. we are full of class. That is the kind of friends we are.

RecipeGirl said...

This soup appeals to me very much. I actually love sauerkraut and have never thought to put it in a soup before!

I had no idea you had gone through chemo. Hope you are feeling great :)

Rindy R said...

Robin Sue - I never knew you were a closet mushroom eater - I"ll never tell!
Noble Pig - My friends are VERY forgiving!
Sabrina - and that is why you are one of my very BEST friends!
Recipe Girl - Yep - had chemo - I HIGHLY don't recommend it - but it did clear up those adult acne spots I had!

Anonymous said...

Just found your blog through Robin Sue - hope you are well now, even with the memory lapse!

I LOVE all things sauerkraut - this is definitely my weekend soup this week - I'll give you props when I post it!!

Karen said...

Lots of great soup recipes around - this looks delicious and we love sauerkraut!

Navita (Gupta) Hakim said...

my hub loves sausages...so guess i will hve to make it..:P


love ur blog, new here. u have a great place with such wonderful pics n recipes...will be back in ur kitchen for sure :)

hugs,