Just like yogurt or kimchi, sauerkraut is a fermented food that is made by fermenting cabbage leaves for about 5-6 weeks with lactic acid bacteria.
you may be confused about whether or not to microwave sauerkraut. Do not get confused as yes, you can microwave sauerkraut and make various recipes with it.
In case you or your kids do not like to eat cabbage in any form, sauerkraut is a nutritious option. While cooking with sauerkraut, you can even add more vegetables to it.
There is nothing much to be done while cooking sauerkraut as you need to simply heat it. One cup of canned sauerkraut after draining contains proteins 1 gram, carbohydrates 6 grams, calories 27, and no fat at all.
In case you do not want to microwave or cook sauerkraut, you can eat it raw as well as it contains lots of vitamins and minerals. However, you may get stomach upset if you are not used to the high amount of lactobacilli present in raw sauerkraut.
Nowadays, more importance is given to maintaining a healthy gut, people are ensuring that their diet contains good bacteria. Sauerkraut being fermented is a good option for this.
Sauerkraut when heated at low temperature retains all the good bacteria and probiotics. Therefore, it is preferred to add this to a cooked meal towards the end so that more of the good gut bacteria survive.
It is also found that even if sauerkraut is heated at high temperatures, there will still be anti-inflammatory benefits with the heat-killed bacteria.
How to cook sauerkraut in microwave?
To cook sauerkraut in the microwave, follow the instructions given below:
- Drain sauerkraut – You need to drain it nicely as the sauerkraut should be clean and dry of any fluid. If it is canned, you should not have any kind of preservatives. Therefore, it is essential to drain it well.
- Take a microwave-safe bowl and add 2 cups of well-drained sauerkraut into it.
- Put some water in it or beer if you like. Also, add the ingredients and seasonings according to your taste. It must be noted that adding seasonings and additional ingredients is completely optional. You can still heat sauerkraut without adding anything.
- Microwave the sauerkraut for 4-5 minutes or until they become tender.
- Stir sauerkraut in between and also check it in between to prevent it from overcooking.
- When done, let it stand for 2-3 minutes.
- Mix well and serve it.
Tips
- There is salt and water in canned sauerkraut which can impact the taste. So, you must rinse it well before using it and then drain it so that the taste of the sauerkraut becomes mild.
- Do not use the container to microwave in which the sauerkraut comes in the market. You should always use the microwave-safe container for it.
Why does sauerkraut spark in the microwave?
Sauerkraut spark in the microwave because of the arcing effect caused by it in the microwave.
Dense vegetables like cabbage, carrots, spinach, etc contain minerals (like iron, selenium, and magnesium) more than other food items which act like tiny pieces of metal and produce arcing effect.
This occurs when the electromagnetic waves in the microwave reflect or bounce off the metal. When sparking occurs in the microwave, food is not spoiled but it is prevented from getting heated thoroughly.
It should be noted that arcing effect is not caused just by the presence of metal. Electromagnetic waves are sent by the microwave that causes vibration of fat, water, and sugar molecules of the food and causes heat.
An electric field is generated by the microwave but its intensity is not the same everywhere. The presence of a small piece of metal in the microwave increases the electric field locally which becomes stronger as compared to the surrounding air.
The individual charges of small pieces will be different and sometimes sparks between the pieces are caused by these charges.
This indicates that it is not required to have a lot of metal, only a difference in electric properties is enough to produce sparks. This stands right for sauerkraut as well.
Can you freeze sauerkraut in a bag?
Yes, you can freeze sauerkraut in a bag. This method increases its shelf-life. When it is frozen properly, sauerkraut can last up to 8-12 months.
Since sauerkraut is fermented, it already has a fairly long shelf life but to extend its durability, you can freeze it.
To freeze sauerkraut-
- Transfer it from the jar to the freezer bag.
- The liquid in the sauerkraut expands on freezing, so at the top leave a few inches of space always.
- Remove all the possible air by squeezing the bag.
- Seal tightly so that juices are prevented from leaking and sauerkraut can be eaten for a longer duration.
- Label the bag with a date. Use a container to place the sealed bag.
- Put the container with the bags inside the freezer. Once the bags freeze, remove them from the container.
Can you fry sauerkraut?
Yes, you can fry sauerkraut to make a delicious dish that is warm and sour while it is mostly crunchy.
Even after frying, the healthy probiotic bacteria in it are alive.
Below are the steps to follow to fry sauerkraut:
- Rinse the sauerkraut and drain it well.
- Take a pan and add some butter to it. Melt the butter on the stove and add sauerkraut to it.
- Season the sauerkraut with black pepper.
- Fry it on high for 2-3 minutes until it becomes hot.
Sauerkraut is done, serve it hot. This dish is perfect for lunch or breakfast as a side dish. Grilled kielbasa sausage, sunny-side-up eggs, or pork are some of the dishes with which fried sauerkraut goes well.
Does sauerkraut make you poop?
Yes, sauerkraut does make you poop as it contains probiotic bacteria which helps in improving digestion. It is also taken by people who suffer from constipation.
The probiotic bacteria present in it are capable of boosting immune function and digestion of lactose.
However, if sauerkraut is taken in excessive amounts, it may cause diarrhea. To avoid this, you must consume sauerkraut in small amounts at a time which will give time to your digestive system to adapt to this diet.
It is also recommended to avoid eating raw sauerkraut. Therefore, it should be either heated or cooked in the microwave or stove.
Conclusion
Sauerkraut is highly nutritious and healthy which provides probiotics. Sauerkraut helps in strengthening your immune system and digestion system. It also helps in losing weight.
Thus, it is recommended to eat a little sauerkraut every day to get its greatest benefits.