Thursday, February 25, 2010

Shchee

I make Schchee, a Russian cabbage soup about once every two years for Mary.
First I pour 2 quarts of beef stock into a large pot and let it simmer while I prepare the vegetables.

I chop 2 1lb cabbages and set it aside.


It is amusing that the recipe book in which I found this recipe years ago says to chop the cabbage and put it aside. That is the last time the cabbage is mentioned. Each of the first few times I made the soup I came to the end of the process and would say to myself, "Hey I have this large bowl of cabbage here." You can see I have made a penned reminder on the recipe page.






Chop a cup of carrots.


Dice 2 cups of potatoes.






Finely chop 1 cup of onion.







Peel, remove seeds (better than I did), and chop 2 cups tomatoes.






The vegetable, celeriac, which is known as celery root really adds flavor to the soup.








You cant really peel this vegetable. You have to cut and scrape it but then you can cut it into strips.









Its time to season the broth.
Add some dill weed.












Toss in a bay leaf










Some salt
add pepper at the end of cooking
How do you like my marble salt and pepper prep bowl.













Add the potato, tomato, and some parsley to the pot.












Saute the carrots, celery root, and onion in a covered skillet for about 10 minutes.



































Add the carrot mixture to the pot






Fry kielbasa pieces in the skillet that the carrot mixture was cooked, until they are slightly browned and fat is released. Use a slotted spoon to add to pot.











Add the cabbage and simmer about 40 minutes.

















The finished product.












Serve with thick slices of pumpernickel with sweet butter, sour cream to stir into the individual bowls of soup, and freshly ground black pepper.




































Monday, February 8, 2010

Happy 80th Birthday, Bill Duke




This weekend I drove to Saco, Maine to attend Bill's (Cissy's father) surprise birthday party.

















Kathleen aka Cissy


































Monday, January 18, 2010

A Messy Morning in New England



We have a few inches of very wet heavy snow on the ground this morning and now it is raining. I ventured outside just long enough to clean off the car and clear the sidewalk.It is the kind of day you want to spend indoors. What to do? Maybe some work on the stitching project. Some light reading.


Maybe watch movies on my new flat panel television.




I have a few movies that I have been wanting to see.





In any event I think I will stay in my pajamas all day.





And most probably, later this afternoon, I will return here for a nice winter nap.





A day in the life of a retiree, who only goes to work if the mood strikes him, and has learned how to hibernate in a New England winter.








Saturday, January 9, 2010

Boots, scarves, and gloves. Winter in New England

Before venturing out, we must also don wool socks, six layers of clothes, and a heavy coat with a hood.




Homemade beef stew for a cold winter evening.


Made with beef, of course, and rutabega, carrots, white onions, and yukon potatoes.







Cooked in my new Nesco roasting oven. Thanks for the tip, Beth.










A winter project.




The grape doily under the bowl was embroidered by mother 50 years ago.













Lots of free time to catch up on my reading backlog.

















Tuesday, December 1, 2009

World AIDS Day

I dedicate my blog today to

my brother Rick

and to Tony.


I miss them both so terribly much.



Anthony Profeta
"Tony"