How to Make Sauerkraut & Dumplings with Linda Erlandson (Baumann)

miscellaneous Sep 08, 2017

This meal has always been a family favorite

It's a joy to be able to share this Baumann family favorite recipe of sauerkraut, spareribs, pork roast, and dumplings with everyone. This video was shot and edited by Peter Q. Brown and we want to extend a very special thank you to Peter for taking the time to do this. View on YouTube

Click here to get the full recipe in PDF

This meal was prepared in Las Vegas on January 25, 2015, at an event sponsored by Dan Baumann from ChiefExpertsAcademy.com. This Chief Architect training event was made extra special with the home cooking and non-stop laughs provided by my sister Linda Erlandson, my sister-in-law Avis Baumann and my long time dear friend Ken Horst.

This recipe, from the depression era, has been handed down from our Grandparents to our Parents, to my brothers and sisters and now our kids.

This meal is a holiday favorite often served at Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and even 4th of July. Guests who have never eaten this meal want to be invited back whenever it's served because it's such a treat.

According to my Dad, when he was growing up on the farm in Bird Island, MN my Grandma would save all the crusts from bread to make dumplings. There was always a crock of sauerkraut, and the pork was packed in lard to keep it from spoiling.

On the farm during thrashing time, the neighbors would gather at my Grandparents house for the big meal. The neighbors to the south were German, the neighbors to the north were Swedish.

Grandma would make the Swedish family chicken because she didn’t think they would like sauerkraut and dumplings. This arrangement went on for two years until the Swedes finally asked why they were being served different food than the other neighbors.

Grandma explained her reasoning and with that, the Swedes decided to give the sauerkraut and dumplings a try. After trying it, they told Grandma to only make the sauerkraut and dumplings from then on. They loved it!

When we serve this meal, we always make extra so that we can have plenty of leftovers. The leftover dumplings are cut up and fried like potatoes and smothered with gravy. Many have commented that this meal is even better as leftovers.

The ingredients in this meal are actually quite simple. Saurkraut, bread, pork, eggs and a few other things.

If you have not eaten this meal before, it's not much to look at. But for those that understand how delicious this is, you know that this plate full of food is amazing.

Linda, Stan, Avis, and Mary served the Saurkraut and Dumplings meal for the 2017 Chief Experts event at the International Builders Show in Orlando. It was awesome as usual!

Our family would often skip the traditional turkey meal on Thanksgiving and have Saurkraut and Dumplings instead. In 2001 my father is teaching me how to make dumplings.

I did it, I made my first dumpling!

The making of this meal has always been a fun event. Everyone likes to chip in and help. (June 19, 2004)

Someone has to make the gravy, Avis is doing a great job. Family Members - Check out the pot holder, refrigerator, and the dining room.

This picture was taken on Fathers Day, June 19, 2004. This was one of the last times we got to enjoy this meal together as a family. It was a wonderful day.