Does Your Summer Schedule Need A 30-Minute Meal?

Have you gotten the school supplies list yet? If not, it is coming! I got Max's this week and the reality that school is coming started to set in hard. As much as I try to ignore it, deny it and pretend it isn't happening, we only have about a month left before he will be off to Kindergarten, abandoning Mommy, all day, every day. 

Sorry, was that a little dramatic? I won't lie, I am struggling with the thought of having a Kindergartner and a Senior. I've told people for years the 12 year age difference is perfection, a true gift from God, but for this ONE week when they both head off to school, one for the very first time, and one for the very last time...Mommy is going to shed some tears. Big, crocodile, sobbing tears. 

But you know what? Summer is still here for now, and I am hanging on to it with my fingers and toes. I am trying to find ways to suck all the fun we can out of summer as long as we can. 

So what does that have to do with food? Plenty! We are so busy right now, I need quick and easy meals so that I'm not wasting a bunch of time in the kitchen instead of outside in the sun playing! Plus, we are gearing up for VBS at church this week, which means I need suppers that we can all eat at different times. Max before we leave, the big boys while we are gone and then me when we get home. 

This Smoked Sausage and Sauerkraut is perfect because it can stay warm on the stove, or I could even make it in the slow cooker if I wanted to. It can be ready to serve in about 30 minutes so it fits right into the crazy that is my life right now.

If your summer isn't slowing down any time soon, only to be closely followed by the hectic start to a school year, this 30 minutes meal might just save a little bit of your sanity too!

Smoked Sausage and Sauerkraut

3 (9 oz.) packages smoked sausage, cut into rounds

1 (32 oz.) bag sauerkraut, rinsed and drained well

2 TBS brown sugar

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 TBS butter, divided use

Black Pepper

Fresh Parsley

Whole Grain Mustard

In a Dutch oven melt 1 TBS butter over medium heat. Sauté sausage until brown on all sides. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. In same Dutch oven, melt remaining butter. Sauté garlic, just until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add brown sugar and sauerkraut and mix well. Reduce heat to low and cook for 10 minutes until some liquid has evaporated and flavors have melded. Season with black pepper. Add sausage back in and stir to combine. Cook 10 additional minutes. Transfer to serving bowl and serve with chopped fresh parsley. Serve mustard on side at the table. 

 

 

Indoor Hog Roast

Do you enjoy a good old fashion hog roast? Do you even know what I'm talking about? See, I'm not sure it's something enjoyed from coast to coast or not, but here in the Midwest, if you have a party and mention there is going to be a freshly roasted hog, your guest list will double! In fact, we love them so much, it's what we served at our wedding reception! Yep, we had a dear friend make all the sides, salads, etc, but the main dish was shredded pork from two hogs our family prepped and roasted ourselves.

We are lucky enough that my father in law has a hog cooker, and we were happy to take full advantage on our special night. And to this day, I still get compliments about the food at our reception being some of the best, most delicious and family friendly ever.

For those of you who don't know, I'm talking about taking a whole hog, seasoning it, and putting it inside this huge cooker to slow roast for hours and hours. It comes out tender, juicy and mouth watering. Now, it's a preference thing rather you include sauerkraut, and what most folks around here do is to cook part with, and part without. I like to eat it on a plate with a fork; and yes, I enjoy the kraut too. But it makes the best pulled pork sandwich around too, and some even add barbecue or hot sauce to it.

As much as we enjoy this, it's not very practical for an every day meal. It has to be a pretty special occasion to pull out that hog cooker. So, when I crave it during random moments of the year, this is a simple, tasty alternative. With only 4 ingredients, and a few hours in the slow cooker, it gives us a flavor that is very close, and makes for an excellent weeknight meal.

If you love a good roast hog as much as I do, or are just fans of pork and kraut together, you will love this one too! But I'm still looking forward to the next hog roast. There has to be a graduation, wedding or family reunion coming soon!

Slow Cooker Sausage and Kraut
2 (9 oz.) packages smoked sausage, cut into 2 inch pieces
2 ( 15 oz.) cans sauerkraut, undrained
1/4 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. Dijon mustard

Place sauerkraut, brown sugar and mustard in Crock Pot. Stir well. Spoon some of the sauerkraut mixture on top to cover sausage. Cook on LOW 4-5 hours. Check for dryness every hour or so. If it dries out, add a splash of water.

Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box Aug. 20, 2013
Shared on Lady Behind The Curtain Aug. 21, 2013
Shared on The Country Cook Aug. 23, 2013

Crock Pot at Very Good Recipes