I made this up one night when I was low on groceries and it turned out great!
- Carbohydrate 10.1407670842724 g
- Cholesterol 306.666666666667 mg
- Fat 61.9962104166809 g
- Fiber 2.6780666952978 g
- Protein 78.0372254168473 g
- Saturated Fat 17.6943975277803 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (561g)
- Sodium 409.333555556038 mg
- Sugar 7.46270038897456 g
- Trans Fat 5.3085394861154 g
- Calories 926 calories
Step-by-step
- Throw it all in a crock pot on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
Rendering the Fat
Unlike a delicate clear broth soup that relies on a simmered stock, this slow-cooker preparation depends on the rendered fat of the cured sausage to build its flavor base. Slicing the kielbasa into uniform half-inch rounds before adding it to the crock ensures the exterior surface area contacts the surrounding liquid adequately, releasing spices and pork fat evenly across the six-hour cooking window. When combining canned vegetables like undrained corn and Rotel tomatoes with lean chicken broth, remember that balancing acidity prevents the canned tomatoes from overwhelming the earthy celery and onions.Controlling Vegetable Texture
Long braising times in moist heat notoriously turn green vegetables to mush, making ingredient management critical. Adding drained canned green beans at the very beginning of a six-hour low cycle means they will absorb seasoning thoroughly, though cooks preferring a firmer bite should stir them in during the final hour of heating. Keeping the slow cooker covered maintains a steady internal temperature near 190 degrees Fahrenheit, which softens the raw onions completely without requiring prior stovetop sauteing.Judging Doneness Visually
Evaluating progress without specialized kitchen tools relies entirely on visual cues rather than internal probes. The soup reaches its ideal consistency when the sliced kielbasa rounds curl slightly at the edges and the liquid takes on a slightly opaque, emulsified appearance from the combined starches and fats. Once cooled, store leftovers in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
