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.

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 for flavored tomatoes, frozen carrots instead of canned, green beans and corn undrained, peas omitted (gross, nasty little pods), one can tomato sauce, two low sodium chicken and two pollo de tomate bouillon cubes, six cups water. Once onions were softened, carrots, juice of green beans and corn, sauce, bouillon cubes, water were added and allowed to simmer until carrots almost tender. Green beans and corn tossed in, heat t

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Oh my word how does a space as small a pantry becomes so disorganized? And in such a short time, nonetheless? While reorganizing the four 2x4 pantry shelves yesterday a golden back of the box recipe was discovered. Milk Brownies. Replacing yogurt for milk or applesauce for oil, these are commonplace alternatives. Milk for water in a box brownie, this had to be tried. Stat. Modifications Made: Per the box, 1/3 cup milk replaced 1/3 water. Half cup of chopped walnuts were added along with two tablespoons of Hershey chocolate syrup. Because why not. Scaled for Likability: No, Thank You The milk was fine, the extra chocolate was fine. Walnuts could have been doubled. The problem was the brownies themselves. I accidently made cake brownies with two eggs instead of fudge brownies with just one brownie. So sad. These were given to the neighbor who prefers cake brownies. If the neighbor liked fudge brownies (they are the best kind) these would have gone to the chickens. They have no

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Eating Waffles

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