Culinary Delight: Slow-Baked Pork and Sauerkraut Magic

I had an exciting discovery in our freezer yesterday, pondering what to create for dinner. I stumbled upon some pork chops I initially bought for the beloved and oh-so-yummy Schnitzel, a family and friend favorite. However, with neither breadcrumbs nor panko in sight, my culinary mind started devising a different pork creation. Scouring through my cabinets, I unearthed a jar of German Sauerkraut. Bingo! The decision was made—Pork and Sauerkraut it would be. My method of choice? The Amish way, slow-baked in the oven. The outcome? Delightfully fall-off-the-fork, melt-in-your-mouth pork! Yum, yum.

While the Amish have their traditional way of preparing this dish, I couldn't resist adding my personal touches (I just can't help myself). If you're up for trying this cozy creation, here's how it goes:

Ingredients:

• Pork chops or pork loin

• Sauerkraut (available in most grocery stores; try to find one made in Germany in European Stores)

• 1-2 Apples, sliced

• 1 Onion, sliced

• Salt, Pepper

• Caraway Seeds, Thyme

• Brown sugar

Prep Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Spread about a third of the sauerkraut on the bottom of a large roasting pan. Place the pork on top and season it with salt and pepper.

3. Layer another third of the sauerkraut over the pork, then sprinkle Caraway Seeds and Thyme on the kraut. Add layers of sliced apples and onions.

4. Cover the pan and place it in the oven for approximately 1 1/2 hours.

5. Uncover the pan, add the remaining sauerkraut, sprinkle brown sugar on top (to your liking) - it caramelizes on the top and forms an amazing sweet and tangy crust, then cover the pan again. Reduce the oven heat to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for an additional 1 1/2 hours.

Voila! Your melt-in-your-mouth pork and sauerkraut masterpiece is ready to be relished. I served it with fried petite potatoes, but mashed potatoes pair wonderfully with it as well.

Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days or can be frozen for later enjoyment.

If you decide to try this culinary delight, I'd love to hear your thoughts and/or share a photo in the comments section.

Wishing you a bon appétit and a delightful culinary adventure! Let's keep Rocking the Kitchen, my friends!

Love,

Kerstin