Busias Polish Sausage Recipes

POLISH SAUSAGE AND SAUERKRAUT CASSEROLE (KAPUSTA)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Bring sausage to boil and simmer 15 minutes; drain and set aside.
• Cut bacon into small pieces.
• Begin browning, then add diced onion.
• Saute together until bacon is almost crisp.
• Drain mixture, reserving bacon grease.
• Drain sauerkraut (do not rinse).
• Add sauerkraut and brown sugar to bacon mixture.
• Mix in about 2 Tablespoons reserved bacon grease and water.
• Place in large casserole dish.
• Cut Polish sausage into 3" pieces and place on top of sauerkraut.
• Cover and bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour 15 minutes, checking sauerkraut mixture halfway through to add more water if sauerkraut appears very dry.
• Finish baking; remove from oven.
• Taste sauerkraut and, if desired, adjust flavor by adding salt and pepper, or a little more brown sugar, vinegar or bacon grease to your taste. (Note: In the old days, Busia (Grandma) would soak a cup of yellow peas overnight to soften them and would mix them into the sauerkraut. It was probably to stretch the quantity, but I don't do it anymore!).

AUTHENTIC HOMEMADE POLISH SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Have the pork butts ground coarse and place in a large pan.
• Crush the kernals of garlic with the salt, by using the blade of a knife to mash the garlic fine.
• Add the finely mashed garlic and the other above ingredients to the pork butts.
• Mix it well.
• If possible, allow the mixtures to remain overnight in the refrigerator.
• Fill the casings with the meat mixture after washing the casings out with water.
• To cook, place sausage in pot with water, bring to boil.
• Skim, cover and simmer for about 45 minutes.
• Remove form water.
• Place in oven for additional browning at 325 degrees for about 45 minutes.
• The uncooked sausage can also be placed in plastic bags and frozen for later use.

SAUSAGE IN POLISH SAUCE

Steps:

• Sauté onion in 2 tablespoons butter until golden.
• Add kielbasa, broth, and beer. Simmer 20 minutes.
• Blend flour into remaining 1 tablespoon butter; stir into broth.
• Add vinegar, brown sugar, salt and pepper.
• Add potatoes. Cover and cook over medium heat 10 to 15 minutes.
• Slice kielbasa into 2-inch chunks and serve.

BUSIA'S POLISH SAUSAGE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the pork, garlic, salt and pepper. Place on a clean smooth surface and knead, knead, knead for at least 10 or 15 minutes. The longer you knead it, the more tender your sausage will be.
• Soak the sausage casings in water for 1 or 2 minutes. Rinse the casings by sliding over the faucet. Slide the casing all the way up onto the spout of a sausage stuffing funnel. Press meat through the funnel into the casing carefully so that no air bubbles get inside. Sausages should be plump. Twist periodically to form links.
• Place sausages in a large pot with enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes. They can be frozen after cooling. Use as you would store bought Polish Sausage.