0 from 36 votes
Polish Bigos Stew
Needless to say this stew can be made with anything, and it will be better the second and third day after you make it.
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
3 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 688 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Soup , Lunch
Cuisine:
Polish
Ingredients
- 5 pounds Wings, drumsticks, and thighs from a turkey
- ¼ cup duck fat lard, or butter
- salt
- 2 or 4 large onions, sliced
- 1 ounce dried mushrooms, rehydrated in 2 cups boiling water
- A smoked turkey wing or ham hock
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped lovage (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 12 juniper berries, lightly crushed
- 1 or 2 bay leaves
- 1 or 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups shredded cabbage
- 2 cups Sauerkraut
- 1 apple, peeled and coarsely grated
- A dozen prunes, chopped in half (optional)
- 1 pound smoked kielbasa, sliced into disks
- Lots of freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Put the dried mushrooms in a bowl, pour the boiling water over them, cover and set aside.
- Brown the turkey in the duck fat or lard over medium-high heat. Do this in batches and take your time. Salt them as they cook. Set the turkey aside in a bowl when each piece has been browned. When all the turkey has been browned, add the onions and toss to coat in the fat. Add more fat, if need be. Cook the onions over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes. Salt them as they cook.
- Chop the rehydrated mushrooms and reserve the soaking water. Add the mushrooms to the pot and cook for a minute or two. Add the garlic and cook another minute.
- Add the browned turkey pieces, the smoked turkey wings or ham hock, lovage (if using), marjoram, juniper berries and bay leaves. Mix the tomato paste with the mushroom soaking water and add it to the pot. Add about 2 more quarts of water and bring to a simmer. Simmer, covered, for 90 minutes.
- Add the cabbage, sauerkraut, and grated apple, and keep cooking the stew until the turkey is tender, about another hour or so. Remove the meat and separate it from the bones, then return the meat to the pot.
- Add the prunes, kielbasa, and black pepper, then cook another 10 minutes. Serve with bread.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- NOTE: Since smoked kielbasa is already cooked, it doesn't need to cook very long.
Nutrition Information
Calories
688kcal
(34%)
Carbohydrates
28g
(9%)
Protein
56g
(112%)
Fat
39g
(60%)
Saturated Fat
13g
(65%)
Cholesterol
213mg
(71%)
Sodium
917mg
(38%)
Potassium
1206mg
(34%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
13g
(26%)
Vitamin A
177IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
26mg
(29%)
Calcium
100mg
(10%)
Iron
6mg
(33%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 688
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 688kcal | 34% |
| Carbohydrates | 28g | 9% |
| Protein | 56g | 112% |
| Fat | 39g | 60% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Cholesterol | 213mg | 71% |
| Sodium | 917mg | 38% |
| Potassium | 1206mg | 26% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 177IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 26mg | 29% |
| Calcium | 100mg | 10% |
| Iron | 6mg | 33% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.