SAUERKRAUT RECIPES: Pork Chops with Fennel Seeds, Apple and Sauerkraut . . . Brats with Riesling-Mustard Kraut and Poppyseed Buns

Pork Chops with Fennel Seeds, Apple and Sauerkraut

4 pork chops

¼ teaspoon each: salt, freshly ground pepper

1 tablespoon butter

1 onion, chopped

1 large tart apple, such as Granny Smith

1 teaspoon fennel seeds

½ of a 32-ounce jar refrigerated sauerkraut or 1 14-ounce can, drained, rinsed

1 cup white wine, such as riesling, or chicken broth

Season pork chops with salt and pepper. Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown one side of chops, 3 minutes; turn. Brown other side, 3 minutes. Remove chops to a plate.

Add onion, apple and fennel seeds; cook, stirring often, until onions are lightly browned, 7 minutes. Add wine to onions and apples in skillet; cook, stirring up browned portions. Stir in sauerkraut. Place chops on top. Cover; reduce heat to low. Simmer until chops are cooked through, about 5 minutes.

Yield: Serves 4.

Approximate nutritional analysis per serving: 280 calories, 45 percent of calories from fat, 14 grams fat (6 grams saturated), 75 milligrams cholesterol, 13 grams carbohydrates, 25 grams protein, 1,035 milligrams sodium, 5 grams fiber.

Brats with Riesling-Mustard Kraut and Poppyseed Buns

4 bratwursts

3 tablespoons butter or olive oil

½ onion, sliced thinly

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

½ cup riesling

1 16-ounce package refrigerated sauerkraut, rinsed

¼ teaspoon each: salt, freshly ground pepper

4 poppyseed or other buns

Prepare grill for direct cooking. Cut lengthwise almost through bratwurst. Grill, turning often with tongs, until cooked through and browned, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat butter in large skillet. Add onion; cook, stirring, over medium-high heat until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in mustard. Stir in riesling; cook to reduce slightly, about 2 minutes. Stir in sauerkraut, salt and pepper. Heat through. Place cooked bratwurst in buns; top with sauerkraut.

Yield: Serves 4.

Approximate nutritional analysis per serving: 495 calories, 61 percent calories from fat, 34 grams fat (14 grams saturated), 75 milligrams cholesterol, 1,885 milligrams sodium, 31 grams carbohydrates, 18 grams protein, 4.5 grams fiber.

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