Zuurkoolschotel met Appel
A comforting and flavorful baked casserole featuring sauerkraut (zuurkool) layered with sweet apples, savory minced meat, and often topped with mashed potatoes or a creamy sauce. It's a hearty dish perfect for cooler weather.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Sauerkraut (Zuurkool)(rinsed and drained)
- 3 medium Apples(peeled, cored, and sliced)
- 500 g Ground beef or pork
- 1 large Onion(finely chopped)
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 200 ml Broth (beef or vegetable)
- 1 Bay leaf
- 2 Cloves
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- for topping Mashed potatoes or béchamel sauce
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent.
⏱️ 5-7 minutes - 3
Add the ground meat to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
⏱️ 8-10 minutes - 4
Stir in the rinsed and drained sauerkraut, sliced apples, broth, bay leaf, and cloves. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 5
Remove the bay leaf and cloves. Transfer the sauerkraut and meat mixture to a baking dish.
- 6
Top the sauerkraut mixture evenly with mashed potatoes or pour over a prepared béchamel sauce.
- 7
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
⏱️ 30-40 minutes💡 Tip: If the topping starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil. - 8
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Rinsing the sauerkraut helps to reduce its sourness, making it more palatable for some.
- ✓Choose apples that hold their shape well when cooked, such as Elstar or Goudreinet.
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can add a dollop of sour cream to the sauerkraut mixture.
🔄 Variations
- Add smoked sausage slices to the meat mixture for an extra layer of flavor.
- Incorporate raisins or dried cranberries for a touch of sweetness.
- Use a combination of beef and pork for a more complex taste.