Bigos (Polish Stew)

This is a Polish stew. It is very heart and perfect for a fall or winter dinner.

Ingredients
1/4 cup dried mushroom
1 cup pitted prunes
8 ounces lean pork
16 ounces chuck steaks
8 ounces kielbasa or any other Polish sausage
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 onions, sliced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup dry madeira wine
2 lbs sauerkraut, rinsed
4 tomatoes, chopped
4 cloves
1 cinnamon stick (2-in piece)
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried dill
2 1/2 cups stock
1 1/2 lbs sweet or regular potatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper

Method

• Cover prunes and dried mushrooms in boiled water. Let stand for 30 minutes then drain.
• Cut all meats into 1-inch cubes, put in a ziploc bag, add the flour, close the bag and shake.
• Saute the onions in the oil until soft. Remove.
• Add the meat and brown in batches. Remove and set aside. Add the wine and simmer for 2 minutes stirring.
• Return the meat to the pan with the onion, sauerkraut, tomatoes, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves, dill, mushrooms and prunes. Pour in the stock and season with salt and pepper.
• Bring to a boil, lower the heat, cover and simmer for 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Uncover for the last 20 minuntes to let the liquid evaporate.
• In the meantime, peel and cut the potatoes into 1-in cubes. Boil them in water until tender, drain and toss with parsley.
• Add potatoes to bowl and top with the stew, sprinkle with parsley.