Two Good Meals We Made – Idaho Trout and Eggs Benedict

10 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in Asparagus, Atlantic Salmon, Bearnaise Sauce, Breakfast, Breakfast At The Captains Shack, Breakfast With Robin, Brunch, Brunch with Robin, Buy Idaho, Chicken, Classic Sauces, Cod, Comfort Food, Cooking Styles, Copper River Salmon, Crab, Eggs, Eggs Benedict, en Papillote, Food Photos, Halibut, Ham, heirloom vegetables, Herbs, Hollandaise Sauce, Homemade Sauce, Housemade Béarnaise, Housemade Hollandaise Sauce, Huffington Post, Idaho Beef, Idaho Chicken, Idaho Eggs, Idaho Greens, Idaho Pork, Idaho Trout, Idaho Vegetables, Local Markets, Made From Scratch, Mushrooms, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipes, Recipes - Breakfast, Recipes - Dinner, Recipes - Sauces, Red Snapper, Salmon, What's For Dinner?

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Ah yes. These were fun meals. Idaho Trout Papillote with Candy Heirloom Carrots and Mashed Potatoes. Served with a delicious 2006 Alves de Sousa Douro Estação (Portugal). From Wikipedia, an En papillote is –

En papillote (French pronunciation: [ɑ̃ papijɔt]; French for “in parchment”), or al cartoccio in Italian, is a method of cooking in which the food is put into a folded pouch or parcel and then baked. The parcel is typically made from folded parchment paper, but other material, such as a paper bag or aluminium foil, may be used. The parcel holds in moisture to steam the food. The pocket is created by overlapping circles of aluminum foil and parchment paper and then folding them tightly around the food to create a seal. A papillote should be opened at the table to allow people to smell the aroma when it opens.
The moisture may be from the food itself or from an added moisture source, such as water, wine, or stock. This method is most often used to cook fish or vegetables, but lamb and poultry can also be cooked en papillote. Choice of herbs, seasonings and spices depend on the particular recipe being prepared. The pouch should be sealed with careful folding.

We used Apple Brandy for moisture.

Idaho Trout en Papillote with Mashed Potatoes and Candy Carrots.

To serve the papillote, Melissa d’Arabian says,

To serve, cut open the packets and serve directly in the parchment on a plate or remove the fish to the plate using a spatula, being sure you don’t leave the juices behind.

A good recipe can be found here – by Melissa d’Arabian. If you want to add vegetables, you can use almost anything. zucchini, Bok choy, sliced carrots, sweet onion, green beans and mushrooms to name a few. You can also use chicken, beef, pork, salmon, red snapper or sea bass to name a few. Here are some recipes: Sesame Ginger Salmon, by Kelsey Nixon; Salmon and Vegetables, by Jessica Gavin; Chicken en Papillote; Chicken and Summer Vegetables; Pork en Papillote; Pork Papillote with Apples and Onions.
So there are a few recipes. Use your imagination. You can google “Type of en Papillote” and find many, many more. Be creative. Have fun. Serve with a good wine.

And for breakfast, Try a

Klondike Waffles Benedict with Turkey and Fresh Fruit.

and to start here are several different kinds of Eggs Benedict – 17 Twists on Eggs Benedict Recipes, Huffington Post; Here is an awesome twist 13 Eggs Benedict Recipes, Chowhound and Top Eggs Benedict Recipes, Fine Cooking.

To go with the benedict, you need Hollandaise Sauce or Béarnaise Sauce. Here is an easy Hollandaise Sauce from Allrecipes – Microwave Hollandaise Sauce. And here is an easy Foolproof Béarnaise Sauce Recipe.

OK. There you go. Head for the kitchen and have fun. And remember, a Béarnaise Sauce or a Hollandaise Sauce is great on asparagus. Just sayin’.

Interesting Meals To Contemplate

27 Friday Oct 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Asian - Spices, Asian - Sushi Joy, Asian Stir Fry, Atlantic Salmon, Avocado, Bacon, Bagel, Beets, Boise Food Adventures, Breakfast At The Captains Shack, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Carrots, Cheese, Chicken, Cooking Styles, Cream Sauces, Creamed Spinach, Curry, Eggs, Eggs Fried, Fruit, Greens, Heirloom Beets, Heirloom Carrots, Heirloom Tomatoes, Herbs and Spices, Housemade Pasta, Housemade Sauerkraut, Idaho Bacon, Idaho Eggs, Idaho Greens, Idaho Sturgeon, Idaho Vegetables, Local Farmers Markets, Lox, Lunch For Robin, Mushrooms, Pasta, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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sturgeon

So much fun in the past month or two. Fun in the kitchen. No particular recipe, just a game of “Chopped”. We have these items, now make something edible. Mostly I did.
Hopefully I found something from breakfast, lunch and dinner. To see any of these photos enlarged, Left-Click them. Lets start with Breakfast. I do hope this stimulates you to prepare something different. Good luck! Most of these ingredients, are available at the Boise Farmers Market at 10th and Grove.

Poached Eggs on a Potato Raft
Fresh Fruit
Bacon
Acme Bakeshop Toasted Sourdough

Alia’s Manhattan Morning
Fresh Everything Bagel
Cream Cheese
Tomato
Capers
Onion
Lettuce
Lox

Strawberry Waffle

Bagel
Salmon
Spinach
Fried Egg
Pico de Gallo

Biscuits and Gravy
Poached Egg
Fresh Honeydew

How about some lunch?

Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich on Ciabatta
Avocado
Heirloom Tomato

Huevos con Salsa
Tomato
Avocado

Deconstructed BLT

And now, Dinner!

Salmon Yakitori
Jasmine Rice
Spinach Salad
Yellow Beets
Heirloom Tomato
White Carrot Threads

Note: Yakitori is mostly a form of skewered chicken. But if you take the sauce, called “… tare, a special sauce consisting of mirin, sake, Japanese soy sauce (Shoyu. Prefered dark but white is also fine), and sugar …” and add it to something like this salmon, you get something completely different and good. No need to skewer the salmon, just marinate it for about 30 minutes and then slowly cook it on top of the stove or bake it in the oven. I do like this sauce and usually have some on hand. Easy to make.

Scallops
Fig Jam Marinated Shrimp
Celeriac Thread Salad
Celeriac, also called turnip-rooted celery, celery root or knob celery, is a variety of celery cultivated for its edible roots, hypocotyl, and shoots.

Lobster Ravioli
Fresh Green Salad
with
Heirloom Tomatoes and Rose Turnip Threads

Braised Sturgeon
mushroom sauce
Heirloom Carrot Thread Salad
Creamed Spinach

From Sushi Joy in Boise
Playboy Sushi Roll
House Salad

Captains’s Shack Housemade Pasta with Prosciutto
Prosciutto is an Italian dry-cured ham that is usually thinly sliced and served uncooked; this style is called prosciutto crudo in Italian (or simply crudo) and is distinguished from cooked ham, prosciutto cotto.

Some Good Summertime Meals at The Captain’s Shack

06 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Acme Bake Shop, Acme Bake Shop Sourdough, Atlantic Salmon, Avocado, Bacon, Baking, Baking - Papillote, Boise Artisan Bakery's, Boise Farmers Market, Boise Food Adventures, Breakfast, Breakfast At The Captains Shack, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Chicken, Cooking Styles, Crab, Curry, Desert Mountai Grass Fed Beef, Dessert, Dinner For Robin, Eggs, Eggs Over Easy, Eggs Poached, Eggs Sunnyside Up, en Papillote, Heirloom Beets, Heirloom Carrots, Heirloom Tomatoes, heirloom vegetables, Herbs and Spices, Homemade Sauce, Housemade Sauces, Ice Cream, Idaho Bacon, Idaho Chicken, Idaho Eggs, Idaho Grains, Idaho Trout, Idaho Vegetables, Korean BBQ, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Martin's Swiss Dressing, Meadowlark Farms, Oma and Popie's Sauces, Oriental Food, Photos By: Bob Young, Purple Sage Farms, Recipe by: Robin and Bob Young, Recipes, Recipes - Dinner, Recipes - Sauces, Salads, Salmon, Sausage, Teriyaki, What's For Dinner?, Yakitori

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Ah yes! Life in the kitchen in one of the hottest July’s on record at The Captain’s Shack (The Shack). But so much fun to make and serve. Some of these dishes are “eye candy”, too. Some have recipes; Some don’t. (If you want a recipe, just let me know. I’ll see what I can do.) As with most photos on this blog, Left Click them and see them enlarged. Enjoy these photos and if you make any of the recipes, let us know how you liked them. Thanks and Cheers!

Mango Salsa

Fruity and sweet with a moderately spicy component. Great with seafood.

Huevos con Mango Salsa and Avocado

Poached Idaho Trout Nage
Here is the recipe: Idaho Trout Nage

Eggs Florentine
with
Tomato and Bacon Sourdough Toast

Zucchini Galette

Crab Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms
Recipe: Crab Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms

Chicken Yakitori with Jasmine Rice
Recipe: Chicken Yakitori

We modified the Yakitori sauce somewhat and have our own Teriyaki sauce that we use. Here are the recipes: Sauce Recipes.

And if you are interested, here are some of the main sauces we use. Enjoy.

Salmon
Peas and Beet Greens
Jasmine Rice

Salmon Yakitori
Lemon Rice
Green Salad
with
Shaved Baby Golden Beets
White Carrot Threads
Heirloom Tomato
Martin’s Swiss Dressing

Biscuits and Herbal Sausage Gravy

Curry Chicken Salad
Avocado Slices
Heirloom Tomato Slices
Acme Toasted Sourdough

Peach Jam on Cinnamon Pinwheels

Peach Jam on Cinnamon Pinwheels
Vanilla Ice Cream and Peach Jam Drizzle

Lamb Roulade for Dinner

22 Monday May 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Bok Choy, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Carrots, Classic Herb Blends, Comfort Food, Eggs, Food Photos, Green Salad, Idaho Lamb, Idaho Vegetables, Mint, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe: Bob and Robin Young, Recipes - Greek, Spices of Morocco, Spring Greens, What's For Dinner?

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roulade, rouladen

Oh yes! And a surprising dinner it was. I’ve/we’ve had Beef Rouladen several times. But lamb? This was a first. And this was superb!

A roulade is a dish of filled rolled meat or pastry. Traditionally found in various European cuisines, the term roulade originates from the French word “rouler”, meaning “to roll”.However, the term may be used in its generic sense to describe any filled rolled dish, such as those found in maki sushi.

Meat
A meat-based roulade typically consists of a slice of steak rolled around a filling such as cheese, vegetables, or other meats. A roulade, like a braised dish, is often browned then covered with wine or stock and cooked. Such a roulade is commonly secured with a toothpick, metal skewer or a piece of string. The roulade is then sliced into rounds and served. Of this common form, there are several notable dishes:
Braciole, Italian roulade consisting of beef, pork or chicken usually filled with Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and eggs
Paupiette, French veal roulade filled with vegetables, fruits or sweetmeats
Rouladen, German and Hungarian beef roulade filled with onions, bacon and pickles. Also Kohlrouladen, cabbage filled with minced meat.
Španělské ptáčky (Spanish birds) are roulade in Czech cuisine. The recipe is practically identical with German Rouladen, perhaps omitting wine and adding a wedge of hard-boiled egg and/or frankfurter to the filling. Unlike the large roulade, sliced before serving, the “birds” are typically 10 cm (3.9 in) long, served whole with a side dish of rice or Czech style bread dumplings.
Szüz tekercsek (“Virgin rouladen”), in Hungary a dish[clarification needed] filled with minced meat.
Zrazy (or “rolada”), in Poland

Here is the Recipe for the Lamb Roulade. You can follow the photos for help. Enjoy!

Carrot planks on th bed of ground lamb.

Bok Choy on top of the carrot planks.

Spinich is laid in place.

Chopped Mint is sprinkled on the spinach.

Gently roll the lamb into a roll using the waxed paper as a helper to keep the roll together.

Place the roll into a bread pan.

The lamb has cooled and is now sliced.

Lamb Roulade
Spring Salad Mix
2015 Parma Ridge Carmenere

NW Farmers and Land Trust Program

08 Saturday Apr 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise, Boise Area Food Adventures, Boise Farmers Market, Buy Idaho, What's For Dinner?

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I was at the Boise Farmers Market today – yes it was rainning, but not enough to dampen my spirits – and Janie Burns, Meadowlark Farms where I get my eggs, was distributing this flyer. The Local Farmland Program is produced by the Treasure Valley Food Coalition. Tjhis looks like an interesting program in Boise. Even if you are not in the Boise area, there are some wonderful BNB’s and AirBNB’s in the area. Here is the flyer that Janie was distributing.

From the Treasure Valley Food Coalition webpage,

Been There, Done That: Conversations About Farmland Preservation in the Pacific Northwest” Regional Farmland Trust leaders and farmers telling their stories. Guest speakers: Hilary Aten, Conservation Director, PCC Farmland Trust (Seattle, Washington), Kristin Troy, Executive Director, Lemhi Land Trust (Salmon, ID), Two Lemhi County producers, and Julia Freedgood, Asst. Vice President of Programs, American Farmland Trust. Monday, April 10th at 6:00 pm – BSU Yanke Research Park – 220 E. ParkCenter Boulevard – Free Admission

Richard’s Re-Opens in Boise!

11 Saturday Feb 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Farmers Market, Boise Food Adventures, Boise Restaurants, Buy Idaho, Celebrations, Chef Richard Langston, Classic Cuisines, Comfort Food, Cooking Styles, Dinner At Richard's, Food Photos, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Greens, Idaho Trout, Idaho Vegetables, Idaho Wine, Inn At 500 Capitol, Local Markets, Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Richard's, What's For Dinner?

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Chef Richard Langston, Inn At 500 Capitol, Richard's

Yes! Chef Richard Langston has re-opened his restaurant at the Inn At 500 Capitol, Richard’s Restaurant. We were lucky enough to attend the grand opening and it was fantastic. The Inn At 500 Capitol is a superb hotel, and you can get information about it by following this link Inn At 500 Capitol. It is located at 500 South Capitol Boulevard, Boise, Idaho, 83702 USA. (208) 227-0500. (Left Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.

Wines that were offered

Conference room. Notice the lighting. Made in Boise. Art Glass.

Tables and flowers.

Table centerpiece and wines!

The balcony looking at Boise.

Richard’s bar.

An open kitchen in the dinning area is always interesting.

Appetizers – Squash Bruschetta

Ham and Cheese on Rosemary Focaccia.

Trout on Endive Leaves.

Caprese

Wild Root Cafe and Market at the JUMP in Boise

22 Sunday Jan 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in 4-Stars, Beans, Beef, Beets, Boise Adventures, Buffalo, Buy Idaho, Cheese, Cooking Programs, Dessert, Dinner With Robin, Green Salad, Idaho Buffalo, Idaho Greens, Idaho Vegetables, Malbec, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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JUMP, Wild Root Cafe

A good evening. Thanks to the JUMP Staff (Jack’s Urban Meeting Place – named for Jack Simplot) for their assistance in having a wheel chair available for Robin and handicap parking available for the car. Security was extremely helpful as was the Staff. Here is a link to their site: JUMP Boise.
I believe that this was the first time that Wild Root Cafe and Market was at the JUMP. They are located at 276 N 8th Street, Boise, ID 83702, Call. (208) 856-8956 Their hours are: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Monday – Wednesday; 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM – Thursday-Saturday; Brunch served until 3:00 PM on Saturday; Closed Sunday. Kitchen closes 15 minutes prior to closing. Here is what was on the program tonight.

The menu was really interesting. Mignardises are: Small sweet tid-bits served at the end of the meal (after dessert), usually with coffee. It’s derived from the old French word, “Mignard” which means either small child, or graceful, pretty and delicate.

Salad –
Endive, citrus, shallots, pistachio cracker, cheese cake, pomegranate vinaigrette

Main Course - Coffee bison short rib, beet gnocchi, celery root, fava, winter vgreens, dmi and micros

Main Course –
Coffee bison short rib, beet gnocchi, celery root, fava, winter greens, demi and micros

Dessert –
Orange hazelnut mignardises, passionfruit puree, goat caramel, meringue, chocolate and citrus oil

2013 Tikal Malbec and Bonarda

2015 Moscado d’Asti

Preparing dessert

Three rows of tables were setup. This was our table.

Two rows of tables were setup. This was our table.

All in all, a good night. The food was good, although Robin and I both thought a little salty. We really watch our salt intake and use very little at home. The room tended to be a little noisy and could use some sound baffles – tapestry on walls, etc. Wild Root Cafe uses as many local products as possible. Not much grows around here in the winter – especially this winter.

New Years Eve and 2017, Day Two

03 Tuesday Jan 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in Appetizers, Bacon, Basil, Buddy, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Celebrations, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner For Robin, Eggs, Falls Brand Bacon, Food Photos, Heirloom Onions, Herbs, Herbs and Spices, Idaho Eggs, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Scallops, Sea Scallops, Seafood, Shell Fish, Shrimp, What's For Dinner?

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Snow! Cold! Great time to stay inside by the fireplace. Snow keeps falling. Lots of food. Seafood mostly for New Years Eve. Then vegetarian – roasted spaghetti squash. Look. And look, too, at the wonderful Beef Wellington that Chris and Anna made. Awesome!

New Years Eve

Shrimp
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Rice and Cheese Balls
Deviled Eggs
Variety of Wines

2017 Day Two

Baked Spaghetti Squash
Steamed Cabbage and Onion
Roasted Herbed Tomatoes

And then, check this out! Chris and Anna made this beautiful – absolutely beautiful – Beef Wellington. Look at this.

Beef Wellington
Note the Brussels Sprouts in the background! Wow! Looks like a super dinner. You and Anna should really be proud, Chris.

Beautiful!

Wonderful Brunch at Parma Ridge Vineyards Bistro

11 Sunday Dec 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Alaskan Salmon, Appetizers, Beef, Beer and Ale, Beer and Food, Bistro, Bistro - Parma Ridge Winery, Breakfast With Robin, Brocolli, Brunch, Brunch at Parma Ridge Winery, Brunch with Robin, Buy Idaho, Chef Storm Hodge, Chowder, Comfort Food, Dinner At Parma Ridge Restaurant, Dinner With Family, Food Photos, Grilled Vegetables, Parma Ridge Specials, Parma Ridge Winery Bistro, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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Parma Ridge Bistro, Parma Ridge Restaurant, Parma Ridge Winery

“Foggy Vineyard“

I do not generally add articles to this blog that concerns a winery – there are specific blogs for that, i.e. AVA Happenings in Idaho or Treasure Valley Wine Society or the Treasure Valley Food and Wine Blog. But this was a special visit to the Parma Ridge Winery and Restaurant. A 5-Star winery and restaurant, and well worth this post. And it won’t break the bank. You will have an outstanding meal, whether it is a Friday night Happy Hour visit, a Saturday evening dinner or a Sunday Brunch. And the kids are welcome also! The weather was foggy and slightly wet. The roads were wet, but not icy, until you drove on the “back” roads.
Here is what we had. Go to the winery. Eat there. And say “Hi” to Stephanie, that’s her artwork and to Chef Storm, who comes up with the fantastic epicurean treats. You won’t be sorry you went. Some of these treats are new to the menu. The servings are very adequate and border on being large. Four of us shared the following dishes. We also had some awesome wines to go with the brunch.

Daughter Marnie, cousin Dorothy from Portland and an awesome wife, Robin.

Caprice Bites
Fresh Baked Baguette with Roma Tomatoes, Italian Basil, Buffalo Mozzarella and Balsamic Reduction $5.95

Walnut Crusted Warm Brie
with
Grand Marnier Brown Butter, Honey and a Balsamic Glaze $6.95

Cream of Mushroom Soup (Vegetarian) $4.95 cup, $6.95 bowl
(They also offer an awesome Creamy Northwest Clam Chowder Same prices as Mushroom Soup)

Brunch Burger
Quarter-Pound Black Angus Burger with Melted Double Cream Brie, Apple-wood Smoked Bacon, and Sunny-side up Egg with a lemon-tarragon aioli and Rosemary Garlic Truffle Fries $9.95

Storm’s Famous Salmon - $16.95 Brined, Lightly Smoked and Pan Fried with Rosemary Truffle Butter and Rosemary Truffle Mashed Potatoes accompanied by Grilled Asparagus Storm's Homemade Grilled Bread

Storm’s Famous Salmon
Brined, Lightly Smoked and Pan Fried with Rosemary Truffle Butter and Rosemary Truffle Mashed Potatoes accompanied today by Grilled Broccolini Storm’s Homemade Grilled Bread $16.95

And to finish dinner – wonderful chocolates!

2015 Storm Red – Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Carmenere (Wine Club Members Only) went extremely well with the salmon, burger and cheeses

2015 Parma Ridge Vineyards Storm Red
Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Carmenere
(Wine Club Members Only)
went extremely well with the salmon, burger and cheeses
(I’m rating this [19] out of [20]. Almost as good as the 2014 Parma Ridge Vineyards Estate Grown Syrah …. almost!)

5-Hour Duck Creamed Spinach with Grand Marnier Cream Baked Sweet Potato with Duck Gravy

5-Hour Roasted Duck
Creamed Spinach with Grand Marnier
Cream Baked Sweet Potato with Duck Gravy

And as we were leaving, I told Chef Storm that tomorrow night (Monday) I am making a 5 Hour Roasted Duck.

The cherry, cranberry, rosemary sauce for the duck.

I will probably also serve a 5 Hour Duck Sauce to go with it.
Chef Storm said he has never had a 5 hour roasted duck. And he asked me to
post photos – I will – and save him some. That may be more difficult as there are 4 of us eating it. I may have to make him one. That’ll be fun! Hmmmm!

Make Your Own Sauerkraut!

09 Sunday Oct 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Farmers Market, Buy Idaho, Cabbage, Captain's Shack, Cooking Styles, Housemade Sauerkraut, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Pennsylvania Dutch, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe: Bob and Robin Young, Salt, Sauerkraut, What's For Dinner?, White Cabbage

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fermentation, sauerkraut

Not at all difficult to make. It just takes some prep time, about an hour or so; a clean crock for fermenting the cabbage, there are really nice ones online; fresh cabbage, this is the perfect time of year to get some great cabbage from your local Farmers Market; a good recipe and many are available. Here is our recipe for Sauerkraut and you can modify this anyway you want to make it “yours”. Recipes, like dance routines, are only suggestions. The recipe listed here is also on permanent file in the Boise Foodie Guild Recipes listed above. Here is the process that I use. In the final photo, I seal the cabbage from air by (1) Covering the top of the cabbage with uncut cabbage leaves and not plastic, and (2) Make sure the water seal on the top of the crock is always full. At times, you will hear that kraut “perking”. It is fermenting when that happens – a good thing! Robin bought me this crock several years ago online. It is awesome! See the safety tips below.

Shredding the cabbage using a mandolin. See tghe belnd of red and white cabbage. 4 heads of white cabbage to 2 medium heads of red cabbage. Nice color blends.

Shredding the cabbage using a mandolin. See the blend of red and white cabbage. 4 heads of white cabbage to 2 medium heads of red cabbage. Nice color blends.

The shreeddedd cabbage in the crock. See the recipe for the spices I use. There are only 4.

The shredded cabbage in the crock. See the recipe for the spices I use. There are only 4.

Uncut cabbage leaves are placed on top of the shredded cabbage. Note the “water trough” on the edge of the crock. The top lid fits right in this “trench” and seals the mash from air.

Finally, weights – these came with the crock – are placed on the leaves to hold the cabbage under the liquid that forms. The idea is to keep the cabbage submerged and out of any air.

Here are some great safety tips when making sauerkraut, or any fermented vegetables. Sauerkraut Fermentation Gone Bad. And from the site listed in the link,

Three Basic Fermentation Rules
1) Keep it Salty! Weigh your cabbage and vegetables to ensure you add the correct amount of salt to create a 2% brine. The correct numbers are 1 3/4 pound vegetables for 1 tablespoon salt OR 5 pounds vegetables for 3 tablespoons salt. Remember, these weights include not just the cabbage, but any vegetables and seasonings you’re mixing with the cabbage.
2) Keep it Under the Brine! Use some type of weight to keep fermenting cabbage and vegetables submerged, especially during the first 7-10 days when the microbial climate of your jar is established. Put on a lid to keep out the air! Fermenting is an anaerobic process.
3) Keep it Clean! No, you don’t need to sterilize equipment or use bleach, just make sure your tools, fermentation vessels and weights are thoroughly washed and well rinsed.