Sauerkraut

Ben went a little overboard and bought 4 pounds of cabbage. But, he loves sauerkraut, so I used a widemouthed mason jar for the extra.

Sauerkraut is so easy to make!

For one mason jar worth of sauerkraut:
One medium head of cabbage
Sea salt or pickling salt
Knife or shredder
Bowl
Jar with lid
Cloths: towel or bag, one to set it on, one to cover the jar

-I like to put the cabbage through my shredder, but slicing it with a knife works just as well. If you don't have a weight, save an outer leaf to keep on top of the kraut.

-Next, I add salt to the cabbage. The ratio 1 1/2Tbsp per 3 pound, let this sit while cleaning up to start the juices extruding.





-Last, in a clean mason jar (or crock, depends on how much you're making), add a small amount at a time, press down each addition. This minimizes the air bubbles that can push the liquids up and out of the jar as it ferments.

Leave about an inch or so at the top.

Place the weight or leaf on top, pressing so the juices rise over it.
The lid is set on loosely so the gases can escape. I've got kids, so I screw it on about 1/4 turn.


-Set it on a cloth on the counter in a moderate temperature area (I put it on the fridge in the winter for warmth, but in the corner of my counter in summer). Cover with a cloth and check every couple days to make sure the liquid isn't escaping.






You can leave it for a week to 10 days (sooner in the summer, longer in winter).

Sometimes, a yeast grows on top of the leaf that I use to protect the kraut -that's why the leaf! Smell the kraut if you're unsure. If it doesn't smell worse than fresh sauerkraut ;) then it should be fine. Pull the leaf out, wipe any yeast off the jar side and enjoy.

Park Day

We've been taking lunch at the park once in a while. The Bakfiets makes this a quick feat. I've added the second bench in the box and had the littles ride there with the bags behind - giving then extra leg room.

Bike rides and swings and slides, oh my!

Happy 4th

Matching blue and white striped shirts. I think the fabric was on sale for $2 a yard, and I only had about 3-4 yards. So $8 for three shirts. The smile Ben gave me for being all matchy-matchy with his boys? Priceless.

I've got girls' dresses yet to sew up.. Later. Time now to enjoy BBQ'd burgers and homemade potato salad.

Patterns:
Colette Negroni (#1014) size Med: adapted the pattern so the facing was part of the shirt front. Used size Large neckline for his comfort.
McCall's M6226 size 14: is he really that big already?
New Look 6880 size 3: wow, same question!

Happy Independence Day!!