August Staff Selection: Powerkraut Sauer Kraut

10% off Powerkraut, August 2012
From Staffer Jeff Tabels

Powerkraut from Wisconsin is an organic, small-batch, lacto-fermented food, and they are rocking some great sauerkraut. Lacto-fermentation is a fascinating & ancient food preservation technique. This process involves creating an environment that encourages good bacteria to break down the awesome goodness of raw vegetables, ultimately creating a naturally preserved food. In addition, it has amazing health benefits.

The following health benefits of lacto-fermented foods are listed on their website:

*Help balance stomach acids
*Assist in digestion & the breaking down of proteins
*Promote sleep & calm behavior
*Vitalize the health of intestinal flora
*Create anti-oxidants to scavenge free radicals (cancer reducing)
*Create phyto-chemicals that offer an immune boost
*Can deter the growth of harmful bacteria within the intestine

Sounds pretty great, eh? At Provenance, we carry 3 types: Classic, Purple, and Ocean.

*Classic is exactly what you hope for in a sauerkraut. Instead of opening that can with the green label for your grilled bratwurst or kielbasa, grab a jar of this. It has the perfect acidity to complement that grilled, encased meat.

*Purple has the color of the cabbage it's made from. Tossing that with a little olive oil & celery seed makes a fantastic topper for a pulled pork sandwich.

*Ocean includes kelp & arame. These are ocean vegetation that have been dried & cut, and included in the regular recipe.

All 3 options make great condiments or side dishes to liven up any meal.


Here are some recipes try at home:

Kimchijeon

*use Ocean Powerkraut in lieu of Kimchi for pancakes

2-4 servings


1 cup Ocean Powerkraut + 3 TBSP of juice

2 TBSP chopped onion

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup water

2 TBSP grapeseed oil

In a bowl, add Ocean Powerkraut, Ocean Powerkraut juice, chopped onion, salt, sugar, flour & water, and mix well with a spoon.
Heat a 12 inch non-stick pan over medium high heat & drizzle in the grape seed oil. Pour pancake batter into pan & spread thinly & evenly with a spoon. Cook for 1-1 ½ minutes until the bottom gets golden brown & crispy. Turn over with a spatula or flip it.

Lower the heat to medium & cook for another 1½ minutes.

Turn over one more time & cook for 30 seconds before transferring it to a serving plate.
*Serve right out of the pan or let cool & cut into pieces to serve.