Sauerkraut is a form of cabbage that has been fermented. It holds many health benefits apart from being the king of probiotics. These benefits arise from its ability to enhance overall digestive health, increase blood circulation, boost energy, stimulate the immune system, maintain good heart health, strengthen the bones, control cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation, improve vision and skin health and even guard against certain cancers.

Here are five great sauerkraut recipes with these probiotic-powered foods.

Sauerkraut and Kiwi Smoothie

The mix of sauerkraut into a kiwi smoothie gives a delicious and tangy taste and is an easy way to convince the non-sauerkraut fraternity to have some of its probiotic goodness.

Ingredients :

• Sauerkraut – ⅓ cup
• Iceberg lettuce – ½ cup
• Kale leaves – ½ cup
• Kiwifruit – 1
• Peeled orange – ¼
• Macadamia oil – 1 tablespoon
• Water – 1½ cups
• Ice cubes – ½ cup

What to do:

• In a high-powered blender, add sauerkraut, iceberg lettuce, kale leaves, kiwifruit, orange, macadamia oil, chilled water and ice cubes.
• Blend together for 30-60 seconds.
• Serves 1-2 glasses while of fresh smoothie.

Apple Sauerkraut Slaw

A good Coleslaw is everyone’s favorite, and if you dress it up with the goodness of sauerkraut and apples, it turns into a vibrant side dish. It can be served as a salad on the side to accompany the roast meats or as a topping for burgers and sandwiches. Homemade sauerkraut made with red cabbage will complement the apple beautifully in terms of color and appearance.

Ingredients:

• Shredded apples – 2
• Thinly sliced and quartered red onion – ½
• Dried sauerkraut – 2 cups
• Shredded fresh cabbage – 2 cups
• Mayonnaise – ½ cup
• Vinegar – ¼ cup
• Sugar – 2 tablespoons

What to do:

• Toss the apples, onion, sauerkraut, and cabbage together in a bowl.
• Separately whisk together some mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar.
• Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss until all are well combined.

Sauerkraut Potato and Bacon Soup

For all those who love a good soup and would like to add the sauerkraut goodness to it, this is the perfect recipe. The potato can totally be skipped for people avoiding carbs and the bacon can also be alternated with any other well-cooked meat.

Ingredients:

• Potatoes – 2
• Sauerkraut – 500g
• Water – 2 cups
• Bay leaves – 2
• Allspice seeds – 3
• Diced bacon – 100g

What to do:

• Peel and boil oil the potatoes separately until soft.
• In a pressure cooker add sauerkraut, water, bay leaves, allspice seeds and diced bacon on simmer for 30 minutes
• Once done add the potatoes and serve hot

Sauerkraut Pancakes

This savory batter for pancakes is great on its own but can also be enjoyed with some gravy, creamy sauce or even roasted chicken or fish.

Ingredients:

• Sauerkraut – 250g
• Milk – 1 cup
• Plain flour – 1 cup
• Egg – 1
• Smoked hot paprika
• Oil – 1 tablespoon

What to do:

• To a mixing bowl add sauerkraut, milk, flour, egg and some smoked hot paprika.
• Lightly oil the fry pan and spoon the mixture on to it and cook on both sides till it turns golden brown.
• Serve hot with the side of your choice.

Sauerkraut and Porcini dumplings

This dumpling recipe is for the soul and the addition of porcini mushrooms makes the dumpling have a better bite to it.

Ingredients:

• Round gow gee wrappers – 1 packet
• Sauerkraut – 400g
• Dried porcini – 50g
• White pepper – 1 tbsp
• Bay leaves – 2
• Paprika – 1 tsp
• Ground cumin seeds – 1 tsp

What to do:

• In half a cup of warm water soak the porcini until soft and then chop into fine pieces.
• To a saucepan add sauerkraut, mushrooms with the soaking water and spices with an extra cup of water.
• Simmer for about 30 minutes while stirring from time to time, until the water evaporates.
• Remove bay leaves and allow to cool.

Dumplings

• Place 1 heaped teaspoon of the mixture in the middle of the pastry circle and fold over.
• Pinch the edges together and brush with a little water to help them stick.
• Drop the dumplings in boiling water for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent them from sticking together or to the bottom of the pot.
• Serve fresh.

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