Braised Pheasant With Sauerkraut Alsation Style Recipes

BRAISED SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Drain the sauerkraut. Squeeze it by handfuls to remove excess liquid. Fluff up the strands and set aside.
• In a heavy 5-quart or larger covered saucepan, add the onions and the wine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until onions are tender.
• Add the sauerkraut, broth, caraway seeds, thyme, bay leaves, a little salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Bring the mixture back to a simmer, cover the pan, and simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Uncover the pan and boil rapidly until the liquid has reduced to nothing (or almost nothing if you perfer it with some of the liquid and not dry-like). Correct seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Serve hot.

PHEASANT WITH SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Wrap the pheasants with the bacon, securing it with string.
• Loosely tie the legs together.
• Melt the butter and oil in a heavy pan over moderate to high heat and fry the pheasants on all sides until the bacon fat starts to run.
• Drain the excess fat from the pan, reduce the heat and pour the wine over the pheasants.
• Add the peppercorns and bayleaves and bring the wine to simmering point.
• Cover the pan tightly and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the birds are almost tender.
• Pack the sauerkraut around the sides of the birds and pour the beer over.
• Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, then add the sausage, cover and heat through.
• To serve, carefully lift the pheasants from the pan.
• Snip the string and remove without disturbing the bacon.
• Place the birds on a warmed serving dish and keep hot.
• Remove the sausage and set aside for a moment.
• Adjust the seasonings of the sauerkrat before arranging it around the pheasants.
• Discard the bayleaves and peppercorns if you find them.
• Quickly cut the sausage into 1cm slices and lay over the sauerkraut.
• Using snips or poultry shears, cut into halves or quarters to serve, trying not to disturb the bacon slices.

BRAISED PHEASANT WITH SAUERKRAUT ALSATION STYLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Drain the sauerkraut and cover with cold water, stir, then drain well and squeeze with the hands to remove excess water.
• Place a casserole large enough to cook the pheasants side by side over medium heat. Before placing the pheasants in the casserole, cook the bacon in the casserole, stirring, until the fat is rendered.
• Season the pheasants with salt and pepper to taste, both outside and inside the cavities. Add the pheasants to the casserole and brown on all sides. Scatter the onions, carrot and garlic around the birds. Add the bouquet garni, juniper berries and cloves. Cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes.
• Place the drained sauerkraut around the pheasants and add the wine, chicken broth and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil on top of the stove, cover and remove to the oven. Bake for 35 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to 375 degrees, add the potatoes and bake for 15 minutes more. Add the sausages and bake for another 15 minutes or until the potatoes are done.
• Carve the pheasants and slice the sausages. Serve with sauerkraut and potatoes and the mustards.

CHOUCROUTE ROYALE (BRAISED SAUERKRAUT)

Steps:

• Drain the sauerkraut and soak in cold water for 15 to 20 minutes. Taking it by small handfuls, squeeze out as much water as you can. Pick it apart to separate the strands.
• Remove the rind and slice the bacon into 1/2 inch cubes about 2 inches long. Simmer it in 1 quart of water for 10 minutes and drain.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Cook bacon, carrots, and onions in butter slowly in the covered casserole for 10 minutes without browning. Stir in the sauerkraut and when itis well covered with the fat and vegetables, cover and cook slowly for 10 minutes more.
• Bury the herbs and spices in the saurkraut. Pour in the wine, and enough stock to just cover the sauerkraut. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer on top of the stove. Lay a buttered round of wax paper on top of sauerkraut. Cover and set in the middle of preheated oven. Simmer slowly for 3 1/2 hours.
• Brown assorted meats in skillet. Bury them in the casserole while the sauerkraut is still braising.
• Continue to simmer in oven for another 1 1/2hours. (5 hours total).