Grandpa's Sauerkraut and Kielbasa

By SMorrissey

I grew up asking for sauerkraut instead of candy as a child, and my grandfather always made it for me. This is my version of what he would make.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced (four if you are a garlic lover)
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground sage
• Ground black pepper, to taste
• 3 potatoes, peeled and diced (try to use a waxy potato like Yukon gold (russets will disintegrate in the baking process)
• 1 (16 ounce) bag sauerkraut, from the deli aisle (not canned please)
• 1 pound beef kielbasa, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (two if you're an insane sausage lover)

Preparation

Step 1

Put the cold butter in a cold pan with the diced onion, and slowly bring to a simmer on medium heat. This brings out the sweetness of the onions. Simmer for about 10 minutes.

Add minced garlic and simmer 2 more minutes.

Add next 3 ingredients.

Combine with the sauerkraut (undrained and not rinsed), kielbasa and potatoes. Bring to a simmer on the stove top.

Cover loosely with foil and place in a preheated 225°F oven for 3 hours.