Krautnik Recipes

POLISH HONEY-SPICED VODKA (KRUPNIK)

Steps:

• You can serve the krupnik hot immediately after making it. Or you can allow it to cool and serve it cold.

LIGHT-AS-A-FEATHER DUMPLINGS (FOR SOUP OR STEWS)

Steps:

• In a bowl sift together the flour, salt, black pepper (if using) and baking powder.
• In another bowl mix the egg with melted butter; add to the dry ingredients with enough milk to make a semi-stiff batter (do not over-mix, you might use a little more than 2/3 cup milk).
• Drop by a teaspoon into simmering soup or stew.
• Cook covered for about 18-20 minutes and NO PEEKING for the first 10 minutes.

QUICK SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine cabbage, vinegar, salt, and 1 1/4 cups water. Cover, and cook over medium, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is tender, 30 to 35 minutes (if bottom of pan starts to brown, add 1/4 cup more water). To store, refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

EASY HOMEMADE SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Mix cabbage, onion, sea salt, and garlic together in a bowl. Firmly pack mixture into a large, clean, food-grade plastic bucket. The cabbage will start to make its own brine as the salt starts to draw out the water of the cabbage.
• Fill a large, clean, food-grade plastic bag with water and place over the salted cabbage mixture so none of the cabbage is exposed to air.
• Allow cabbage to ferment in a cool, dry place, 1 to 4 weeks (depending on how tangy you like your sauerkraut). The temperature of the room you ferment the sauerkraut in should not rise above 70 degrees F (21 degrees C).

KRAUTNIK

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together, gently so as not to break the dumplings if using them.
• Spray 9x13 casserole dish.
• Bake in preheated 350°F oven for approximately 50 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
• To speed this up, I would cook on medium power in microwave for 20 minutes and then add the dumplings for the last 20 minutes in the traditional oven. If not using dumplings, serve with dinner rolls and tossed green salad.

LITHUANIAN KRUPNIKAS

Steps:

• Crack the cardamom seeds and nutmeg with a heavy skillet on a cutting board. Toss them into a saucepan with the caraway seed, cloves, allspice berries, cinnamon sticks, peppercorns, saffron, ginger, turmeric, orange zest and lemon zest. Pour in the water, and bring to a boil. Cover, and simmer until the liquid is reduced by 1/2. Strain out spices, and set the liquid aside.
• Pour honey into a large pot, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Skim off any foam from the top. Stir in the strained liquid from the spices and vanilla extract. Remove from heat and place far from the stove to avoid any flare-ups from the grain alcohol. Slowly stir in the grain alcohol. Place the pot back onto the burner over low heat and cover. Heat through, being careful not to boil or even simmer. Remove from heat and let stand overnight with the lid on.
• The following day, pour the liquid into sterile bottles, seal, and allow to settle for 2 weeks. The longer you let it sit, the clearer it will become and the better it tastes. Serve warm.