Ukrainian Beef Stew

One of my very first non traditional American meals served was Hungarian Goulash. It was immediate love. Served it to both sets of meat eaters in-laws. One review was as expected because it did not fit their 60+ year preconceived notions of goulash or stew. Appreciation of culinary cuisine does not exist there. The other immediately asked for the recipe and has since made it several times. What was there not to love? Meat, potatoes, carrots, all swimming in a savory gravy.

When Ukrainian Stewed Beef and Potatoes was discovered a few weeks back, my initial reaction was another version of Hungarian goulash. Upon closer inspection, one sees the differences. Vast difference. Differences similar to American stew vs pot roast. Both stew and pot roast contain beef, carrots, and potatoes yet no one would classify these two dishes as the same. I found myself becoming excited for a hearty soul filling dish.

Modifications Made:

Hungarian paprika replaced smoked paprika. Russet potatoes replaced white potatoes.

Scaled for Likability: Great

Nope, this is definitely not Hungarian goulash. It is not better or worse but as good. Thick flavorful sauce enclosing tender chunks of meat and potatoes. Three ingredients that made this entirely different from the Hungarian goulash: tomato sauce, heavy cream, and dill. Don't skimp out on the dill. In fact, the dill was such a stark contrast to the flavors, I added extra to my bowl.

Oh, and if you want to American-ize this perfect Ukrainian dish, steamed fresh green beans mixed in at the last minute is wonderful.

Papas a La Mexicana (Ranchera)

It is a crying shame that there are six hens and not a egg in sight. What am I supposed to do with homemade ranchero sauce? Thankfully with a few quick searches of the internet a recipe from my hometown newspaper was discovered: Papas Ranchera . Not once in the thirty years I lived in my hometown did I ever eat at a local food joint serving papas rancheras. No time like the present to remedy this cultural dish. Because this recipe is hidden behind a paywall (grrr...) I have included it here for you: Servings: 4-6 Ingredients: 1 pound potatoes, diced 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/2 large onion 1 1/2 medium tomatoes 3 jalapenos 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup juice from canned tomatoes Instructions: Fry potatoes in vegetable oil until lightly browned (about 4-6 minutes). Saute onions, tomatoes, jalapenos until soft. Add garlic powder and salt. Add tomato juice until vegetables are covered (may need to add water). Bring to a boil and then add po...

Better Than Campbell's Old Fashion Vegetable Soup

Went to the store with the hopes of gathering fresh produce for soup. With more than 45 people in line for two packages of any meat product and the produce section containing only avocado, orange, and most randomly, strawberries, I settled upon canned soup. Well not canned soup since that section was still void of food, too. Instead soup made from canned goods as the canned vegetable section had been mostly restocked. Soups like this 15 Minute Vegetable Soup are ideal in dire food situations such as current times. Modifications Made: Plain petite diced tomatoes omitted, frozen carrots instead of canned, green beans and corn undrained, peas omitted (gross, nasty little pods), one cup celery, three cups diced potatoes, one can tomato sauce, two beef and two pollo de tomate bouillon cubes, six cups water. Once onions were softened, carrots/celery/potatoes/juice of green beans and corn, sauce, bouillon cubes, water were added and allowed to simmer until carrots almos...

Sour Cream & Chive Scalloped Potatoes

Can't believe the Month of the Potato is over. There are so many more potato recipes saved. Guess I will have to work them into another month. Last week's scalloped potatoes were one of the best new recipes during the month of potatoes. With today being the last day in the Month of Potatoes, I decided to go out with a bang by cooking another batch of scalloped potatoes but this time sour cream and chive. The Best Scalloped Potatoes , or so they said. Modifications Made: Recipe was reduced by half. Mayo was omitted and one entire package of chives were chopped and added to sauce before pouring onto layers. Scaled for Likability: Good Betty Crocker Sour Cream and Chive Box Scalloped Potatoes were the standard for this recipe. These were a family favorite for years but have long since been discounted. Bummer. Trying to replicate this seemed easy enough. Alas, it was not. These had a nice texture but were too oily from the cheese ...

Eating Waffles

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