i would make the sauerkraut seperately....chop up bout 8 slices bacon and fry...add drained kraut, brown sugar to taste, a chopped apple,bay leaf and salt and pepper to taste...sorry, but after frying the bacon sautee some chopped onion in the same pan and then follow the rest...add enough water to cover a quater of the kraut and let simmer with lid on for at least 2 hrs...enjoy!