Getting In Touch With My German Roots

It's always fun in the fall to dig out a favorite German recipe...what with all the the
Oktoberfests going on around town.  Here's a kraut and sausage dish that even my husband, who does not like sauerkraut, loves!

Sausage Bake With Sauerkraut and Apples

In an ovenproof pan saute 1 large onion (quartered and sliced) and 2 lbs. sliced smoked sausage.   Add 2 large apples (peeled, cored, diced).   Saute 1 more minute.  Add  

2 cups cider, 1 T apple cider vinegar, 4 T brown sugar, 2 lbs. cold pack sauerkraut (rinsed and drained) and 1/4 t pepper.  

Cover and bake at 425 degrees for one hour.

City of Fountains

Celebrating KC Royals blue!

A Long Wait

The KC Royals nailed down a playoff berth last night.  We won the World Series in 1985 and had not been to the playoffs since!    Needless to say...Kansas Citians are celebrating.

Ahh....Comfort

The minute the temps drop a tiny bit, we start to crave warm comfort food around here.  Two favorites are Black Bean Chili and Tuna Casserole.

This dish can be used as chili or a side dish (great on taco night!).

Black Bean Chili

Heat EVOO or grape seed oil in a heavy large pot.   Add 1 yellow onion--chopped, 1 large red bell pepper--chopped.   Cook till softened.  Add squirts of garlic paste.   Mix in 2 T chili powder and a couple dashes cumin.   Stir two minutes. Mix in 3 cans organic black beans (drained but not rinsed), a can of diced fire roasted tomatoes and a squirt of tomato paste.  Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer.   Simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.      Serve with a dollop of sour cream and grated cheddar cheese.

Tuna Casserole

Bring to a boil about 3 quarts of water.   Add about 10 oz. noodles, cook till soft (about 10 minutes).   Drain and return to pan.   Add in 1 family-size water packed tuna, 3/4 cup frozen peas, 1 can cream of chicken soup mixed with 1/2 can milk, 4 oz. cream cheese, softened and cubed.  Pour into a sprayed oven dish.   Top with either crushed potato chips or crushed tortilla chips mixed with grated cheese.    Bake at 350 degrees till bubbly, about 30 or 40 minutes.