- In a large pot, place the sauerkraut, chicken stock, smoked meat, peppercorns and bay leaves. Add water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce temperature, cover and simmer for 1 to 2 hours. Meat should be tender.
- Remove meat, discard bones, dice and return to the pot. Add the shredded cabbage, tomatoes and onion. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook another hour or so.
- Add water, as necessary, to keep it soupy.
- To serve, remove the bay leaves and dish up.
Note: If you prefer, substitute 1 cup shredded carrots for the tomatoes. Smoked turkey is a good substitute for the ham hocks. And there is nothing wrong with a nice hambone!
Note 2: You can drain and rinse the sauerkraut for a milder dish
Note3: You can reduce the amount of chicken stock if you need to – the meat will add a lot of substance to the liquid.