** The new cookbook from Chef Larry Edwards, The American Table, is now available for pre-order from Amazon @ http://amzn.to/2oy87VR, and is considered to be the most complete cookbook ever published on the topic of classic American dishes** Comfort foods. We American's love our comfort foods. When it comes to the classic comfort foods of The American Table, I don't think there is one more famous than the casserole. A simple one pot meal that was usually a hodgepodge of whatever was in the refrigerator and pantry, stirred with love and served with a smile. Smoked Sausage Casserole is a classic American comfort food casserole dish, albeit we make it a little different today. In the America of yesteryear, the sausage was homemade and smoked on the back porch. Today... we buy it at the market!
When it comes to the type of sausage to use in this Smoked Sausage Casserole, you can use whatever you prefer. It can range from a spicy sausage, to an herbed Italian sausage to the always popular kielbasa sausage. It doesn't matter. Just make sure it is not one of those dreaded "low-fat" sausages. This type of casserole was very popular in the Northwest parts of America and you can tell this by the earthiness of it. Aside from the smoked sausage, this Smoked Sausage Casserole is loaded with potatoes and sauerkraut. This is the epitome of the term "rib-sticking food."Â
When it comes to the topping for this Smoked Sausage Casserole, you have many options. I like the old-fashioned method of using crumbled cornflakes. My mother would often use crumbled potato chips. If you want to be rather unimaginative, you can use fresh breadcrumbs.
SMOKED SAUSAGE CASSEROLE (serves 4)
Ingredients needed to make Smoked Sausage Casserole: 3 Tbs. corn oil
1 1/2 pounds smoked sausage, thinly sliced
1 yellow onion, minced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup milk3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 1/2 cups sauerkraut, drained
2 Tbs. yellow mustard
2 cups crumbled corn flakes
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Steps: 1) Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees.
2) In a large skillet, heat 2 Tbs. oil over medium heat. Add the smoked sausage and brown. Remove the smoked sausage and set aside.
3) Into the skillet heat the remaining oil over medium heat. Add the onion, salt and pepper and cook 5 minutes.
4) Stir in the flour and cook 1 minute.
5) Whisk in the chicken stock and milk until smooth.
6) Add the potatoes and bring the mixture to a boil.
7) Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook 15 Â minutes (or until the potatoes are tender). Make sure to stir occasionally.
8) Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the sauerkraut and mustard.
9) Spoon the mixture into a casserole dish.
10) Sprinkle the corn flakes over the casserole and then top with the Parmesan cheese.
11) Drizzle a little more oil over the top.
12) Place into the oven and bake 15 minutes.
13) Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
