Kassler Gratin

A variant of one of my husband's favorite dishes 4 Kassler in Creamy Sauce. The double cream in this recipe can be replaced by lower-fat products - crème fraiche, for instance. Kassler is a very lean piece of meat. Any visible fat can easily be removed.

INGREDIENTS:
serves 4 -5

* 600 grams kassler, sliced
* 1 leek, shredded
* 2 bell peppers, different colours, diced
* 1 can pineapple chunks
* 1 tablespoon butter or oil
* ½ - 1 tablespoon curry powder
* 1 tablespoon soy

SAUCE:
* 2 dl (200 ml) double cream
* 1 dl (100 ml) chili sauce (I used Heinz)
* ½ -1 teaspoon sambal oelek

METHOD:
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C [=392°F; Gas Mark 6]
2. Heat butter in a frying pan.
3. Fry the curry, leek, peppers and pineapple chunks slightly.
4. Grease an oven-safe dish and arrange the vegetables in the dish.
5. Cover them with slices of kassler.
6. Combine cream, chili sauce, sambal oelek and soy.
7. Pour the cream mixture over the kassler.
8. Cook in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
9. In the meantime, boil some rice and prepare a simple salad to serve with this dish.

Language problem
A Frenchman was once travelling in England. He could speak English fairly well, but sometimes he could not find the word he wanted. Once, for example, he was eating in a small country hotel and he wanted to order some eggs. But he could not remember the word for eggs.

- What is the name of that bird! he asked the waiter, when suddenly through the window, he saw a cock walking in the yard.
- It's called a cock, the waiter said.
- What's the cock's wife called in English? the Frenchman then asked.
- She's called a hen, the waiter answered.
- And what are the hen's children called? the Frenchman asked next.
- They are called chickens, the waiter told him.
- What are the chickens called before they are born? the Frenchman asked.
- They are called eggs, was the reply.
- Fine! said the traveller. - Please bring me two - with some coffee and toast.

Maybe you've already heard this story. The truth is, I do not know what "kassler" is called in English. So, I am not going to drag you through a tiresome description. It is rather difficult for me to explain. Kassler is originally a German word given to a smoked and salted cut of pork.

I believe this particular piece of pork - the Swedish kassler- is difficult to get in other countries. Maybe you can replace kassler with lightly salted and lightly smoked ham.

A Blog-roll
I have joined a blog-roll - Great Cooks Blogroll
It is a community and a resource for people who enjoy good cooking. Great Cooks blogroll serves as a resource for those of us who are looking for meal ideas or how to cook.