Do you enjoy hearty meals that reliably warm you up and fill you up? These traditional potato balls with sauerkraut are a culinary treasure that comes from honest mountain cuisine. The base consists of delicate homemade dumplings made from potato dough, which are mixed with a rich blend of crispy bacon, smoked meat, sautéed onions, and fragrant sauerkraut.
This recipe is a great way to create a luxurious and inexpensive lunch or dinner. Preparing the dough a day in advance ensures that the dumplings will hold their shape perfectly and remain beautifully moist inside. Moreover, the entire dish is made from common ingredients that you probably already have in your fridge and pantry. Let’s prepare it step by step.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Preparation Time | 20 minutes (+ cooking potatoes the day before) |
| Cooking and Stewing Time | 20 minutes |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Main Flavors | Sauerkraut, sautéed bacon, smoked meat, and potato dumplings |
Ingredients We Will Need
For the Delicate Potato Balls:
- Potatoes: Cooked the day before with the skin on and cooled.
- Medium Flour: Amount depending on the absorbency of the potatoes (added to taste).
- Olive Oil: A little for the dough for moisture and to drizzle over the finished balls.
- Salt: For the dough and for the cooking water.
For the Sauerkraut Mixture with Smoked Meat:
- Sauerkraut: A good package, slightly chopped.
- Bacon: Cut into small cubes.
- Smoked Meat: Cut into cubes (for an even richer flavor).
- 1 Large Onion: Finely chopped.
- Spices: Ground cumin, ground black pepper, and a bit of oil for frying.
Step-by-Step Preparation
1. Preparing and Cooking the Potato Balls
Peel the potatoes cooked the day before with the skin on and grate them finely into a large bowl. Add a pinch of salt, a drop of olive oil, and gradually sprinkle in the medium flour. Use your hands to knead a uniform, non-sticky potato dough. Shape smaller neat balls from the dough. Place them into boiling salted water. Once the balls float to the surface, they are done. Remove them with a slotted spoon into a bowl and toss with a bit of oil to prevent sticking.
2. Frying the Bacon and Smoked Meat
In a deeper pan, add the chopped bacon and smoked meat cubes. Add a drop of oil and fry over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the meat releases fat and the bacon starts to crisp.
3. Sautéing the Onion and Stewing the Sauerkraut
Add the finely chopped large onion to the fried meat and sauté together until the onion turns golden. Slightly chop the sauerkraut on a cutting board so that it’s not too long, and add it to the pan with the meat base. Mix everything thoroughly, season with ground cumin, ground black pepper, and stew together for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Final Mixing and Serving
Add the cooked potato balls to the pan with the stewed sauerkraut and smoked meat. Gently mix everything so that the dumplings are coated with the sauerkraut juice and absorb the flavor of the drippings. Serve hot, ideally with chilled milk or buttermilk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Potatoes have different starch and water content each time. If the dough is sticky, add a little more all-purpose flour, or lightly dust your hands with flour or moisten them with water while shaping the balls.
It depends on how sour you like your sauerkraut. If the bagged sauerkraut is extremely sour, you can rinse it briefly with cold water and squeeze it out. Usually, it’s enough to just drain the excess juice (don’t throw it away, it’s full of vitamins and can be drunk!).
Yes, you can replace part of the flour with baby semolina. The balls will then have a slightly firmer and more structured surface, which many people look for in potato doughs.
Do you love hearty potato dishes? Try our other renowned recipes:
- Classic on the Plate: Excellent Chicken Paprikash with Pasta.
- For Lovers of South Bohemian Cuisine: South Bohemian Cmunda without Oil Absorption.
- Quick Frying Pan Dish: Zucchini-Potato Fritters.
Potato balls with sauerkraut are proof that the traditional cuisine of our neighbors offers the best comfort foods. Enjoy your meal!
