Rachel's Simple Sauerkraut

Simple Sauerkraut (takes four weeks until ready to eat)
Fermented sauerkraut contains many of the healthy probiotics that you'd find in a bowl of yoghurt.It also contains plenty of iron which can boost energy levels and your immune system.

You'll need a bowl, large jar or 'crock'
muslin
a heavy weight

1 white cabbage
2 tablespoons sea salt
half teaspoon caraway seeds
5 juniper berries
(spices can be omitted for those that don't like them)

1.Trim, core and finely shred the cabbage.Mix the cabbage with the salt in a large bowl.Squeeze the cabbage a bit with your hands which will help it to release liquid.
2.Transfer your cabbage to your bowl, large jar or crock and add the spices between layers of the shredded cabbage.
3.Lay a whole cabbage leaf on top of the shredded cabbage and pack it down as tight as you can.
4.Cover the bowl with a sheet of muslin and sit a weight on top.Cover with a lid if you have one but ensure that it is not airtight.
5.Ferment for 3-4 weeks in a cool place.The cabbage should be submerged under liquid (if it isn't, add a little salt to the pot because the cabbage does need to be submerged for the recipe to work).Skim off any scum.
6.When the sauerkraut has collapsed and become soft, decant into clean jars and keep in a cool place for up to a year.