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Today is May 18, 2012

Recipes

Especially from us to you! Here’s to a Better Way in the kitchen!

Sweet Baked Sauerkraut

*This recipe won our “Best Recipe Story” contest and Jenny won a copy of Susan Branch’s Book Autumn.

(Jenny is seen below with one cute little pumpkin!)

JennyJenny’s book winning story about this recipe:

Baking a memory. That’s what this recipe is for me. The first time I tried it I wasn’t sure what it tasted like. It’s got a whole carmelized, deep flavor reminiscent of Autumn and Grandma’s and woodstoves cooking long and low and slow and fragrant.
 
I was reminded of my Grandmother’s kitchen in rural Northeastern Ohio. We ended up living with her for awhile when my Father left the Air Force. It was kind of strange because although it was in the late 60′s and early 70′s she had no running water, no indoor bathroom and still cooked on her ancient wood-burning stove. 
 
The lack of an indoor bathroom was something I do not remember fondly…I still cannot understand how people into country decor can fill chamber pots with dried hydrangeas and call it charming. I’m still traumatized by the use of it during those sub-zero Ohio winters.

 
But the memory of the astonishing food that came from that huge old stove is still amazing to me. The homemade cinnamon bread swirled with spicy sweetness, the 20 cloves of garlic chicken melting into your mouth, and a dish very similar to this recipe. Autumn and comfort all rolled into one savory casserole. And so many memories came back with the discovery of this simple, old-timey recipe.

Please try this recipe. It is different. It is delicious. And there is absolutely no chamber pot used in the preparation of it!

Ingredients:
1 can 14 Oz. Undrained Diced Tomatoes
16 ounces Undrained Sauerkraut (canned, jarred, fresh or cello packed)
¾ cups Granulated White Sugar
8 slices Raw Bacon Cut In 1/2″ Pieces (I use my kitchen shears)
½ teaspoons Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Preparation Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a shallow 9 x 13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients thoroughly. I find it easiest to just mix everything together with clean hands. Make sure bacon is fairly evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Spread evenly in a prepared baking dish.

Bake, uncovered, for 2 to 2 1/2  hours, until the top of dish is a dark golden brown and most of the liquid has cooked away.

NOTE: You must us a shallow baking dish or this will not cook correctly.