Lard Bucket Meal

Ok, so I'm sure I at least have your curiosity peaked. This recipe was passed down from my grandparents. When we'd visit in the summer, they would make this meal for us. As many recipes from years ago, they aren't specifics -- just a little of this, a little of that. This recipe is also very versatile depending on what you have around or what your family likes or dislikes. Don't add sweet potatoes and add extra potatoes, etc.

The main gist of this recipe is to steam meat and veggies cooking them a long time over low heat. I've added a picture of a lard bucket to show how this recipe received it's name. Add fresh, sliced tomatoes from the garden, some home-made biscuits and you're set! My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Here are the ingredients when serving 8:

3 lbs kielbasa

3 sweet potatoes

3 Idaho potatoes

4-5 ears of corn

large onion

4-5 carrots

medium head of cabbage

1/4 c. butter

3-4 cups chicken broth

pepper to taste

Each pound of kielbasa was cut into 6 links. Sweet & Idaho potatoes were cut in half lengthwise and then cut in 3rds. Shucked and broke ears of corn in half. Quartered onion. Cut carrots into 3rds. Cabbage was cut in half then quartered. Placed all veggies in large pot and topped with kielbasa. Poured chicken broth over everything and added water until it was about 1/2 covered?? Can add slices of butter (optional).

Optional Cooking Methods

Oven: Cover. Bake @ 325 degrees for 2 - 2 1/2 hours. ?? Kinda iffy on that one -- can't remember how long I baked it.

Stove top: Bring liquid to boil. Cover and reduce heat. Cook 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Crock pot: High setting 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 hours, Low setting 7-9 hours.

Notes: My grandparents just use water if you don't want the cost of the chicken broth. I love the flavor it adds though. You can add garlic, peppers, turnips, kohlrabi or whatever fits your fancy (or you have in your garden)! I've seen a recipe that adds herbs like basil and thyme.

Will add picture of finished product if I can find my picture from my other computer. sigh.

Cabbage & Kielbasa Skillet

Continuing the theme in March, we'll consider this a tad Irish since there is cabbage in the recipe even though the pierogies make it Polish. This is another recipe I learned from my mother-in-law. There are no "measurements" so I looked up a few recipes and added the measurements I thought were close to the correct amounts.

Cabbage & Kielbasa Skillet

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1 box frozen potato & cheese pierogies

3 tbsp butter

1 tsp oil

1 small onion

1 medium head of cabbage

1 1/2 lb kielbasa or smoked sausage (light works well)
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1. Slice or coarse chop onions. Slice kielbasa and set aside.

2. Quarter and core the cabbage, then slice it into shredded cabbage. Place in large microwavable bowl.

3. Add 1/2 cup water and cover (not air tight) with paper towel, plate or an off-set lid. Place bowl in microwave and cook for 2 minutes. Stir and continue cooking at 2 minute intervals (stirring in between) until cabbage is tender. CAUTION: steam is very hot and can cause burns! Meanwhile . . .

4. Saute onion in large skillet with butter and oil until tender. (Tip: Adding a little oil to the butter when sauteing keeps the butter from burning.)

5. Add sliced kielbasa to skillet and heat/brown. (Are you still checking on the cabbage in the microwave?)

6. Add frozen pierogies to the skillet and cook according to package directions (5-7 minutes?). You can also remove onions and kielbasa first. (I usually pour them into a dish or bowl.) This will give pierogies more of an opportunity to brown and pick up the bits at the bottom of the skillet.

7. After cabbage has softened and pierogies have been cooked, add cabbage (and any liquid), kielbasa and onions to the skillet. Stir, cover and let simmer for a few minutes. Serve warm.
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NOTE: You can always boil the pierogies according to direction and toss them in at the end. We prefer to brown them in the pan for more flavor. You can also cook the cabbage in the pan instead of steaming it in the microwave or a stove-top steamer. After Step 4, add the uncooked cabbage, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Add kielbasa and cook until cabbage is tender.