Bigos

Bigos (Polish hunter's stew)

1/4 c. dried mushrooms
1 c. pitted prunes
8 oz. lean pork
16 oz. chuck steaks
8 oz. kielbasa or other polish sausage
1/4 c. flour
2 onions, sliced
3 tbsp. olive oil
1/4 c. dry madeira wine
2 lb. sauerkraut, rinsed
4 tomatoes, chopped
4 cloves
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp. dried dill
2 1/2 c. chicken stock
1 1/2 lb. sweet potatoes
1/4 c. fresh parsley, chopped
salt and pepper

Cover prunes, dried mushrooms in boiled water. Let stand for 30 minutes, then drain.
Cut all meats in 1-inch cubes, put in ziploc bag, add flour, close bag and shake.
Saute onions in oil until soft, remove.
Brown meat on medium until just browned, not fully cooked, remove and set aside. Add wine, simmer for 2 minutes, stirring.
Return meat to pan with onion, sauerkraut, tomatoes, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves, dill, mushrooms, prunes. Pour in stock, season with salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil, lower heat, cover, simmer 1 1/2-2 hrs. Uncover for the last 20 minutes to let liquid evaporate.
In the meantime, peel and cut potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Boil in water until tender, drain and toss with parsley. Add potatoes to bowl, top with stew, sprinkle with parsley.

Source: Chef S. Culp, PA Culinary Institute, Polish Enthusiast course, 11/6/07