During the ending years of the 19th century and the starting of the 20th century, America went through a huge wave in terms of immigration. This was greatly fuelled by the entering of the Eastern Europeans and Poles. And the best thing is that they bought with them an interesting and brand new set of culinary traditions that simply became a part and parcel of the American lifestyle, right from the New York’s pastrami delis to the thick and juicy kielbasa sausages of the Midwest.
This so called kielbasa is available in both fresh and smoked version. The smoked one is easily cooked and can be eaten just like that while the fresh one must be boiled first before consumption.
Now most people have doubts on how to cook kielbasa, and to be frank it is quite easy and isn’t that difficult when compared to other kinds of meat. Let’s check on how to prepare fresh and tasty kielbasa.
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How To Cook Kielbasa?
1. How To Cook Kielbasa On The Grill
An important thing that you need to know on how to cook fresh kielbasa on a grill is that you cannot simply take a raw one. It is important that you boil a fresh kielbasa before grilling. Now once you have defrosted a kielbasa, you must boil it in a pot or frying pan for roughly about 15-18 minutes. Once they are boiled, then you can throw them on the grill.
It is necessary that you need to use direct fire while cooking a fresh kielbasa, and also you must cook it over a high heat. Also, if the kielbasa comes in the coil, then you really need to use thongs so that you can maneuver it. Now if you check the kielbasa, it would have been properly cooked, once it is boiled.
By grilling, you are just providing the links with smoky flavour, a good color and a great snap as and when you bite it. Most of the chefs suggest that you serve it with spicy mustard, sauer kraut and along with some mouth-watering red skin potato salad.
2. How To Cook Kielbasa On The Stove
Most people don’t know on how to cook fresh kielbasa on the stove. Well, it is quite easy and you won’t need to go through huge amount of procedures. First you really need to select a good and tasty kielbasa, and this is something which you can easily get from most of the supermarkets in frozen form. Once you purchase a frozen kielbasa, then you really need to thaw it slightly before cooking it on the stove.
Now when you have thawed the kielbasa, then you must place it to a pot filled with many peppercorns, one quartered onion, one teaspoon marjoram (this is optional), garlic cloves, and about half bay leaf. Along with that you need to add some additional spices which can easily assist in replacement of the seasoning that happens during the boiling out while cooking.
After that you must add the required amount of boiling water to it and cover it. Allow it to simmer at low hear for a period of about 60-70 minutes. Keep in mind that you don’t boil it too much as it might cause the sausage to burst out. Also don’t prick the sausage and allow it to get dried. It is better if you allow it to cool in the cooking liquid. It is important that the sausage comes out delicious and dry and not brown.
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3. How To Cook Kielbasa In CrockPot
Now an interesting aspect with regard on how to cook fresh kielbasa in crockpot, you must use a clean and tidy crock pot. First, you take an onion and slice it into thin strips and then you need to caramelize it. Then you must really drain as well as rinse it in the sauerkraut. After that just slice the kielbasa to somewhat one inch in length.
Along with these ingredients you must combine cider, water and certain amount of brown sugar. Then you have to combine all these ingredients into a proper and well crock pot and ensure that it gets cooked for about six long hours.
4. How To Cook Kielbasa In The Oven
Now to cook a fresh kielbasa in an oven, you need to think about the various activities involved in how to cook fresh kielbasa. First, you have to ensure that the oven is preheated to about 350 degree Fahrenheit. Once that is done, you need to spray the baking dish with any cooking spray, till it becomes quite well coated.
After that you must cut onions, potatoes, and the fresh kielbasa into the baking dish and place it into the oven. Then you need to cover the baking dish with a foil. After about 30-40 minutes, you can remove the baking dish from the oven.
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Final Thought
Some people assume that kielbasa is a difficult dish to prepare and cook. However, it isn’t. If you are well aware of the cooking techniques, then you can easily prepare the most delicious and mouth-watering one.
Related Video: Homemade Smoked Kielbasa Recipe!