Noodles Warsaw

How can I describe Noodles Warsaw? It is a very simple dish that family members either love or hate.  There really is no in-between. When Mom made Noodles Warsaw, we all either looked forward to it with anticipation or groaned and knew we would be on our own for dinner. As for me, I love Noodles Warsaw and frequently make it now.

Noodles Warsaw is made from pork sausage, noodles, and cabbage. However, Noodles Warsaw cannot be made from just any noodles. Mom always used Kluski Noodles. I have used noodles other than Kluski noodles, but the dish is not the same without Kluski Noodles. Living in Chicago, Kluski Noodles are readily available in most grocery stores. When I lived in California, I could not find Kluski Noodles. I tried to find a substitute, but there is no substitute for good ol' Kluski Noodles, which are a special type of Polish egg noodle.

Noodles Warsaw is an easy weeknight meal. Mom always makes Noodles Warsaw in her electric skillet. I do not have an electric skillet, but using a large stock pot on the stove top usually works for me. Start by boiling water to cook the noodles. I usually use half of a one-pound bag. Then, brown the sausage in a large pot. This is the pot that will be used to make the rest of the dish. Once the noodles are cooked and drained, add the noodles to the sausage. I like to cook the noodles with the sausage for some time so that some of noodles get browned and soak up some of the meat's flavor. Then add in the chopped cabbage. The cabbage will cook down. It will take about 10 minutes. Sometimes, I need to add in the cabbage in batches as it will not fit in the pot all at once. During the time the cabbage is cooking down, sometimes water needs to be added, maybe about one-half to one cup of water. As the cabbage is close to getting cooked, add pepper to taste. Noodles Warsaw makes excellent leftovers--I like it for breakfast.

Noodles Warsaw
one half of a one pound bag of Kluski noodles
one pound pork sausage
one small head of green cabbage
black pepper to taste

Boil the noodles. Meanwhile, brown the sausage in a large pot. Drain excess grease and turn the heat to low. Drain the noodles and add them to the cooked sausage in the large pot. Continue cooking the sausage and noodles for a few minutes. Then add the cabbage and cook for 10 minutes, or until the cabbage has been cooked. As the cabbage cooks, add water if necessary. Add black pepper to taste.