Alright, let’s talk about makin’ some pork chops and sauerkraut in that there slow cooker, the crock pot, you know? I ain’t no fancy chef, but I can cook up a good meal, that’s for sure. This here dish, it’s real simple, even my old man could make it, and that’s sayin’ somethin’.
First off, you gotta get yourself some pork chops. Don’t matter too much what kind, but I like the thicker ones, they don’t dry out as fast. How many? Well, that depends on how many mouths you gotta feed. I usually cook up four, that’s enough for me and a couple of hungry grandkids. So yeah, let’s say four pork chops for this here recipe.
- Pork chops – about 4 of ‘em
- Sauerkraut – a big can or jar, the kind that says “sauerkraut” on it
- Potatoes – a few, don’t go crazy
- Maybe some onions if you got ‘em and you like ‘em. I ain’t always got onions, so don’t fret if you don’t.
- Salt, pepper – the usual stuff
- Water or broth – just a little bit, don’t want it soupy
Now, get that crock pot out. Mine’s old as the hills, but it still works like a charm. First thing, dump in a bit of that sauerkraut. Not all of it, just a layer at the bottom. Maybe a quarter of the can, something like that. Then, you put in some taters. Just slice ‘em up a bit, don’t need to be fancy. Just layer them taters right on top of the sauerkraut, like you’re makin’ a bed for them pork chops.
Next up, them pork chops. Lay ’em in there, right on top of them taters. Don’t crowd ‘em, give ’em some space to breathe. Sprinkle on some salt and pepper. Don’t be shy now, gotta give it some flavor. If you got onions, slice ‘em up and throw them in too. Onions make everything taste better, ain’t that the truth? If you don’t have ‘em, don’t worry about it, it will still be tasty.
Then, you put in the rest of that sauerkraut, right on top of them pork chops. Cover ’em up good, like you’re tuckin’ ’em in for a nap. Pour in a little bit of water or broth. Not much, just enough to keep things from stickin’. Like maybe half a cup, somethin’ like that. You don’t want it swimming, just a little bit of liquid at the bottom.
Now, put the lid on that crock pot and turn it on low. Low and slow, that’s the key. How long? Well, that depends. I usually let it cook all day, like six or eight hours. You want them pork chops to be real tender, fall-off-the-bone good. You can check it after a few hours, see how it’s doin’. If it looks dry, add a little more water. If it looks too soupy, well, you can’t do much about that now, can ya? Just remember for next time.
And that’s about it. Real simple, right? When it’s done, them pork chops will be so tender, you can cut ’em with a fork. And that sauerkraut, it’ll be all tangy and delicious. Serve it up with some mashed taters or some bread, and you got yourself a good, hearty meal. My grandkids, they love it. Even that picky one, little Susie, she eats it right up. Says it’s “yummy”. Kids these days, always with the “yummy”.
Now, some folks, they like to add other stuff to this dish. Like apples or caraway seeds. I ain’t never tried it, but I reckon it wouldn’t hurt. You can experiment if you want. Cooking ain’t about following rules, it’s about makin’ food that tastes good. And this here pork chops and sauerkraut, it always tastes good. It’s one of them old-timey recipes, the kind your grandma used to make. And there’s a reason them old recipes stick around, cause they’re darn good.
You know, back in the day, folks ate a lot of sauerkraut. It was cheap and lasted all winter. They say it’s good for you too, all that fermented stuff. I don’t know about all that, I just know it tastes good with pork chops. And that’s all that matters, right? So, go on and make yourself some pork chops and sauerkraut. You won’t regret it. It ain’t fancy, but it’ll fill your belly and warm your soul. And that’s what good food is all about. It sticks to your ribs, keeps you going. Just like a good cup of coffee in the morning.
Sauerkraut, it’s just pickled cabbage, you know. But don’t let that fool ya. It’s got a real kick to it. Some folks say it’s sour, but I just think it’s got personality. And it goes so well with them pork chops, cuts through all that richness. It’s like they were made for each other, them pork chops and that sauerkraut. A match made in heaven, that’s what I say.
And don’t forget them potatoes, they soak up all that good flavor. They get all soft and tender, just melt in your mouth. You can use any kind of potatoes you want, but I like them red ones, they got a nice sweetness to them. Or those yellow ones, they’re good too. Just don’t use them sweet potatoes, that wouldn’t be right. Save them for Thanksgiving.
So there you have it, my recipe for pork chops and sauerkraut in the crock pot. It ain’t rocket science, just good, honest food. Go on and give it a try. And let me know how it turns out. I bet you’ll love it. And if you don’t, well, more for me, I guess.
Tags: pork chops, sauerkraut, crock pot, slow cooker, easy recipe, dinner, comfort food, potatoes, onions, hearty meal