Jan in de Zak - Dutch Oven-Baked Sausage and Vegetable Dish

Ingredients

• 4 smoked sausages (400g / 14oz) 4 smoked sausages (400g / 14oz)
• 4 bratwurst sausages (400g / 14oz) 4 bratwurst sausages (400g / 14oz)
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered (500g / 1.1lb) 4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered (500g / 1.1lb)
• 4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks (300g / 10.5oz) 4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks (300g / 10.5oz)
• 2 onions, peeled and quartered (200g / 7oz) 2 onions, peeled and quartered (200g / 7oz)
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 cups (950ml) water 4 cups (950ml) water
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 520 kcal / 2176 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 32g, 11g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 6g
• Protein: 22g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a large pot, bring the water to a boil.
3. 3.
   In a cloth bag or cheesecloth, place the smoked sausages, bratwurst sausages, potatoes, carrots, onions, minced garlic, bay leaves, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
4. 4.
   Tie the bag securely, ensuring that it is tightly sealed.
5. 5.
   Carefully place the bag in the boiling water and let it simmer for 1 hour.
6. 6.
   After 1 hour, remove the bag from the pot and carefully open it.
7. 7.
   Transfer the sausages and vegetables to a baking dish, discarding the bag.
8. 8.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the sausages are browned and the vegetables are tender.
9. 9.
   Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Potatoes — Make sure to cut the potatoes into evenly sized chunks to ensure they cook uniformly.
• Smoked sausages — If you prefer a smokier flavor, you can use all smoked sausages instead of a combination of smoked and bratwurst sausages.
• Bay leaves — Remove the bay leaves before serving as they are not meant to be eaten.

Tips & Tricks

• For added flavor, you can brown the sausages in a skillet before placing them in the bag.
• Feel free to add other vegetables like Brussels sprouts or parsnips for variation.
• Serve with a dollop of mustard on the side for an extra tangy kick.
• Leftovers can be reheated in the oven or enjoyed cold as a tasty sandwich filling.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavors to your liking.

Serving advice

Jan in de Zak is best served hot, straight from the oven. Serve it as a main course accompanied by a fresh green salad or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.

Presentation advice

To present this dish, arrange the sausages and vegetables on a platter, drizzle some of the cooking broth over the top, and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a pop of color. The rustic and comforting nature of Jan in de Zak lends itself well to a cozy family-style presentation.