**Bigos Warszawski: A Culinary Journey through Poland's History and Flavors**
Bigos Warszawski, a traditional Polish hunter's stew, is a hearty and flavorful dish that embodies the country's rich culinary heritage. Originating in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, this stew has been enjoyed for centuries and holds a special place in Polish cuisine. Made with a variety of meats, sauerkraut, and a medley of spices, Bigos Warszawski is a symphony of flavors that tantalizes the taste buds and warms the soul. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, our collection of recipes will guide you through the steps of creating this Polish masterpiece. From the classic version to contemporary interpretations, these recipes offer a range of options to suit every palate and skill level. So, prepare to embark on a culinary adventure as we delve into the history, ingredients, and preparation methods of Bigos Warszawski, Poland's beloved hunter's stew.
BIGOS (HUNTER'S STEW)
A traditional Polish stew using pork, kielbasa, and sauerkraut. Great for a cold winters day. Well worth the time it takes to make it!
Provided by MJ46NY
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews Pork
Time 3h45m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 25
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the bacon and kielbasa; cook and stir until the bacon has rendered its fat and sausage is lightly browned. Use a slotted spoon to remove the meat and transfer to a large casserole or Dutch oven.
- Coat the cubes of pork lightly with flour and fry them in the bacon drippings over medium-high heat until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the pork to the casserole. Add the garlic, onion, carrots, fresh mushrooms, cabbage and sauerkraut. Reduce heat to medium; cook and stir until the carrots are soft, about 10 minutes. Do not let the vegetables brown.
- Deglaze the pan by pouring in the red wine and stirring to loosen all of the bits of food and flour that are stuck to the bottom. Season with the bay leaf, basil, marjoram, paprika, salt, pepper, caraway seeds and cayenne pepper; cook for 1 minute.
- Mix in the dried mushrooms, hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, beef stock, tomato paste and tomatoes. Heat through just until boiling. Pour the vegetables and all of the liquid into the casserole dish with the meat. Cover with a lid.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until meat is very tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 356.3 calories, Carbohydrate 15.2 g, Cholesterol 62.3 mg, Fat 23.5 g, Fiber 3.9 g, Protein 19.8 g, SaturatedFat 7.9 g, Sodium 977.8 mg, Sugar 6.5 g
BIGOS (POLISH HUNTER'S STEW)
Bigos is almost a Polish national dish. This is a traditional recipe from Poland. Bigos is a rich flavorful stew with sauerkraut, Polish sausage, beef, pork, red wine, caraway seeds and more. The longer it cooks, the better it tastes.
Provided by Olenka
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews Beef
Time 2h50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Place sauerkraut in a large pan or casserole dish and pour in 4 cups of boiling water. Add prunes, allspice, and bay leaves. Simmer until Sauerkraut is soft, about 50 minutes.
- Pour about 1 cup of boiling water over mushrooms and soak to rehydrate, about 30 minutes. Drain and chop mushrooms, reserving the liquid.
- Heat oil in a frying pan over medium to high heat. Add onion and sausage. Saute while stirring until onion is soft and sausage is browned, about 5 minutes.
- In a separate pan, bring about 4 cups of water to a boil. Add beef, pork, and bacon. Simmer until cooked through for 20 minutes, then drain.
- When sauerkraut is soft, add the drained meat mixture, sausage-onion mixture, and soaked mushrooms; mix well. Simmer uncovered over low heat, about 20 minutes.
- Pour in red wine and cook for 15 minutes until flavors are well blended. Season with caraway seeds, marjoram, salt, and pepper. Stir in tomato puree. If the stew is too dry, pour in some of the water reserved from soaking the mushrooms, and simmer so flavors combine, about 5 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 656.8 calories, Carbohydrate 54.2 g, Cholesterol 90 mg, Fat 34.8 g, Fiber 12.4 g, Protein 32.9 g, SaturatedFat 10.6 g, Sodium 2486.1 mg, Sugar 18.3 g
HUNTERS' STEW FROM WARSAW (BIGOS WARSZAWSKI)
The intermarriage of French and Polish nobility was greatly responsible for adding a distinctive French flair to traditional Polish cooking. This recipe is considered "high Polish Cuisine" as compared to - Bigos, Hunters' Stew - the peasant version. Both have been posted by request. *Bigos is made with a only a small amount of added liquid.
Provided by Lorac
Categories Stew
Time 2h30m
Yield 5 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Brown pork in the hot bacon drippings.
- Place in a kettle and add sauerkraut, sausage, water and boullion cube.
- Cover and simmer until the pork is tender (1 to 1 1/2 hours).
- In the meantime, add the cabbage to a pot of boiling water, reduce heat, simmer 20 minutes and drain.
- Saute the bacon and onion until golden, add the flour mixed with water and stir until smooth.
- Stir into the pork- sauerkraut mixture and add the tomato paste, cabbage, mushrooms, salt and pepper.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, add wine and serve with steamed potatoes or crusty rye bread.
HUNTER'S STEW
Since receiving this recipe from a friend years ago I have appreciated its meal-in-one convenience. While it bakes, I can concentrate on other things I enjoy doing. - Anne Reynolds, Sprakers, New York
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 2h20m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Crumble beef into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Layer with the onion, carrots, potatoes and beans. Combine soup and water; pour over beans. , Cover and bake at 375° for 2 hours or until the meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 496 calories, Fat 9g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 69mg cholesterol, Sodium 613mg sodium, Carbohydrate 73g carbohydrate (17g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 30g protein.
CHEF JOHN'S BIGOS (POLISH HUNTER'S STEW)
This meaty stew is usually made with wild game such as venison or boar, but you can use beef, pork, or other meat--just use a lot. It's perfect for feeding a crowd, especially when the weather turns cold and dreary.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews Beef
Time 11h
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Place mushrooms in warm water to soak and soften, 10 or 15 minutes. Drain and chop.
- Heat butter in a heavy pot or Dutch oven; add sauerkraut and sliced cabbage. Cook over medium-low, stirring occasionally. Brown the meat and add it to pot while sauerkraut is cooking per directions below.
- Heat skillet over medium-high heat; add bacon and cook until browned but not crisp. Transfer bacon to pot with cabbage, leaving bacon grease in skillet.
- Brown pork shoulder pieces in bacon grease over medium-high heat. Sprinkle with salt. Cook and stir until browned on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer pork to pot. Add beef chunks to skillet; sprinkle with salt. Cook and stir until browned, about 4 or 5 minutes. Add sausage slices to skillet and cook and stir until browned. Transfer slices to pot.
- Reduce heat under skillet to medium. Add chopped onion and a sprinkle of salt; cook and stir until onion turns translucent and starts to take on some color. Stir in chopped mushrooms and diced prunes. Cook and stir about 2 minutes. Pour in dry red wine; raise heat to medium-high. Simmer until wine is reduced to where very little liquid remains. Transfer onion mixture to pot with cabbage and meat. Add paprika, caraway seeds, thyme, allspice, bay leaf, pepper, and salt. Stir to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Cover tightly; simmer over medium-low heat until meat is tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Allow stew to cool slightly; refrigerate overnight to let flavors blend.
- Place pot over low to medium-low heat and add a splash of water. Bring stew to low simmer, stirring occasionally, and cook until hot, 10 to 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 639.8 calories, Carbohydrate 19 g, Cholesterol 135 mg, Fat 44.9 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 32.2 g, SaturatedFat 20 g, Sodium 1173.8 mg, Sugar 9.2 g
HEARTY HUNTER'S STEW
Moist, tender meat and thick, rich gravy are the hallmarks of my classic recipe simmered in a cast-iron pot. -Joyce Worsech, Catawba, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 3h15m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, brown meat in oil over medium heat. Add 4 cups water and scrape to loosen any browned drippings from pan. Add the tomato juice, onions, celery, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. , Discard bay leaves; add the carrots, rutabaga and potatoes. Cover and cook for 40-60 minutes. , Stir in the peas; cook for 10 minutes. Combine cornstarch and remaining water until smooth; stir into stew. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 351 calories, Fat 7g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 96mg cholesterol, Sodium 778mg sodium, Carbohydrate 42g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 31g protein.
ITALIAN HUNTERS STEW
Meet the Cook: This is an all-time favorite because it combines the satisfying ingredients of meat and vegetables with the flavor and textures of pasta dishes. My husband is a hunter besides, so on occasion I'll use elk or venison in place of the beef. We have three daughters and three grandchildren. Plus, my husband's the oldest of 14 children. Having 30 or 40 for holiday dinners isn't uncommon! -Ann Shorey, Sutherlin, Oregon
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 2h55m
Yield 8-10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Toss meat with flour; brown on all sides in oil in 5-qt. Dutch oven. Add garlic and onions; saute until tender. Stir in the broth, seasoned salt, chili powder, oregano and rosemary. , Cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley and carrots. Cover and simmer for 1 hour or until meat and carrots are tender. Stir in macaroni; heat through. Sprinkle with cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 318 calories, Fat 12g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 58mg cholesterol, Sodium 1240mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 23g protein.
Tips:
- When choosing sauerkraut, opt for naturally fermented and unpasteurized varieties to preserve beneficial probiotics and enhance flavor.
- Caramelizing the onions slowly over low heat brings out their natural sweetness and adds depth of flavor to the stew.
- Using a combination of meats, such as pork, beef, and sausage, adds complexity and richness to the stew.
- Adding juniper berries and bay leaves infuses the stew with aromatic and earthy notes.
- Red wine adds a touch of acidity and helps tenderize the meat.
- Simmering the stew for an extended period allows the flavors to meld and develop fully.
- Serving the stew with crusty bread or dumplings allows diners to soak up the delicious sauce.
Conclusion:
Bigos Warszawski is a hearty and flavorful stew that showcases the culinary traditions of Poland. With its combination of sauerkraut, meat, and spices, it is a dish that is both comforting and satisfying. Whether enjoyed as a main course or shared at a gathering, Bigos Warszawski is sure to leave a lasting impression on your taste buds. So next time you're looking for a unique and delicious stew to try, give this Polish classic a try.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love