Old Country Sauerkraut Soup

If all soups were as flavorful as this Old Country Sauerkraut Soup, we'd be in heaven! Taking cues from traditional German cooking, this awesome soup recipe features smoked sausage, sauerkraut and a tasty blend of spices. Wow your family this season with a delicious and hearty soup so good they'll be begging for seconds!

Ingredients

1 pound smoked sausage in a large link, casing left on
6 tablespoons onion, chopped
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, rounded
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 cups milk
1 cup half and half
1 can (8-ounce) sauerkraut, with juice
1 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

Chop the sausage coarsely by hand or in a food processor.
Transfer the chopped sausage and onion to a deep pan and saute over medium heat until the sausage is lightly browned, about 8 minutes.
On a small plate or wax paper, combine the flour, thyme and pepper. Add to the sausage and brown all together until the mixture bubbles up, about 5 minutes.
Add the milk and half and half all at once and cook, stirring until the mixture again bubbles up, about 5 minutes.
Add the sauerkraut and its juice and bring to a boil. The mixture will continue to thicken. Taste for tartness and add lemon juice if desired.
Add parsley, and serve at once.