Ah, Haluski—it’s like a warm hug in a bowl, isn’t it? This dish, with its silky noodles and savory cabbage, reminds me of cozy evenings in my grandmother’s kitchen, where the air was always rich with the scent of butter and onions. Sometimes I wonder, how can something so simple be so profoundly satisfying?
Steps
- Prepare a pot of salted water and bring it to a boil for the noodles.
- In a large sauté pan, cook diced bacon over medium-high heat until crispy, then remove and set aside. Use the leftover bacon grease to sauté sliced kielbasa until browned on all sides, then remove and set aside with the bacon.
- Sauté diced onion in the remaining grease for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cook the egg noodles in the boiling water according to package instructions, ensuring they are just al dente, then drain.
- While the noodles cook, add chopped cabbage, minced garlic, tomato paste, smoked paprika, caraway seeds (if desired), salt, and pepper to the onions. Sauté for about 8 minutes until the cabbage is tender and caramelized to your preference, occasionally stirring to allow browning.
- Stir in chicken stock and apple cider vinegar with the cabbage mixture.
- Combine the cooked noodles with the cabbage mixture, bacon, and kielbasa, and gently toss until everything is well mixed. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve the dish immediately and enjoy.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked wide egg noodles
- 5 slices bacon, diced
- 1 pound kielbasa, sliced diagonally into bite-sized pieces
- 1 small white onion, diced
- Half of a medium green cabbage, roughly chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
- 1 1/4 cups chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Fine sea salt
- Freshly-cracked black pepper
FAQ
- Can I use a different type of pasta instead of egg noodles?
- Absolutely! While egg noodles are recommended for their chewy texture and flavor absorption, you can substitute them with any pasta of your choice.
- What can I use if I don’t have caraway seeds?
- If caraway seeds are unavailable, feel free to omit them. You can still enjoy the dish with its smoky paprika seasoning or try substituting with a spice that you prefer.
- Is there a vegetarian option for this recipe?
- Yes, you can make this dish vegetarian by substituting the kielbasa and bacon with plant-based sausage alternatives and using vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
- How can I make this dish gluten-free?
- To make the recipe gluten-free, simply use gluten-free egg noodles or another type of gluten-free pasta.
- Can I add other vegetables to this dish?
- Definitely! Feel free to include additional vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to enhance the flavor and nutritional value of the dish.
Tips
- Diagonal Slicing for Extra Flavor: Cut the kielbasa sausage diagonally to increase the surface area. This approach allows for more browning, adding a deeper caramelized flavor to each bite.
- Mindful Cabbage Cooking: Aim to cook the cabbage until it’s soft but not mushy. This ensures it retains some texture, enhancing the overall dish.
- Timing with Noodles: To prevent the noodles from becoming soggy, cook them until they are just al dente. Mix them with the other ingredients immediately before serving.
- Customize Seasonings: Feel free to experiment with different seasonings. Instead of smoked paprika and caraway, try Cajun or Italian seasoning for a different flavor profile.
Equipment
- Large Nonstick Sauté Pan
- Large Stockpot
- Slotted Spoon
