The Root Cafe Sauerkraut Recipes

MARIE'S SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• For the pickling sachet: Place the cloves, anise, coriander, crushed red pepper, allspice, juniper berries, cinnamon and bay leaf in a small saute pan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until aromatic. Remove from heat and let cool
• Make a sachet: Cut cheesecloth into a large square, place the spices in the center and wrap in a bundle and tie to secure. (Alternatively, you can use a square piece of foil: Poke small holes in the square, place the spices inside and wrap up.)
• For the sauerkraut: Shred both cabbages into a bowl and set aside. Put the vinegar, sugar and 6 cups of water in a large pot over medium heat; stir until the sugar dissolves.
• Add the pickling sachet, granulated garlic, pepper and salt and stir to combine. Add the shredded cabbage and bring the mixture to a boil. Boil for 30 minutes, then reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for another 30 minutes.

THE ROOT CAFE SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Remove papery outer leaves of the cabbage, then cut head into quarters and remove core. Set each quarter on a flat side and slice thinly crosswise with a sharp chef's knife. To every 2 pounds 3 ounces of sliced cabbage, add 1 1/2 tablespoons salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons caraway in a 2-gallon glass or ceramic crock, then smash and stir with a wooden meat tenderizer (the goal is to break cell walls so that water will come out) and tamp down to get air out. Continue until all cabbage is chopped, seasoned and gently smashed. Mixture will produce its own brine from salting and smashing.
• Brine should completely cover cabbage by about 1/2 inch; if not, add necessary amount of brine made of 1/3 cup salt to 1 gallon water. Place a plate down inside crock on top of cabbage; weigh down with a clear plastic bag or two filled with brine.
• Put a breathable cloth on top that is big enough to cover the surface of the crock and tie gently with twine, tight enough to hold the cloth in place but loose enough to be slipped on and off. Check kraut daily, skimming any white mold from the top and making sure brine is high enough, adding more brine if necessary. (See Cook's Note.) After 1 week, begin tasting kraut for doneness. If more salt is needed, dissolve some in water and add to kraut.
• Kraut should be ready after about 2 to 4 weeks, depending on temperature. When the kraut is ready, transfer kraut to containers, then pour or ladle brine over kraut to cover. Put lids on containers and store in the fridge. (Once the sauerkraut is stored in the fridge fermentation and flavor development will stop.)

SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Cut cabbage in quarters and remove core. With a mandolin or food processor fitted with a 2-millimeter slicing blade, slice as thinly as possible. Place in a large bowl with salt and toss to combine.
• Transfer to a large glass or ceramic container and tap down by hand so liquid rises to top. Cover with a damp towel touching cabbage and top with a 3-pound weight. Cover again with a layer of plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place for 5 days to ferment. Sauerkraut may be kept in a sealed container in refrigerator as long as 3 weeks.