Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Thank-ya Solyanka

The Lowdown:

There were two reasons that I wanted to start wasting my time with this blog. One was to prove Kristy wrong. If you get to know me, you'll soon understand that this is a common theme in my life. I once ate an entire pack of expired bacon just because my lovely girlfriend said I couldn't. Well, I did... and paid dearly (Kristy can tell you all about it as it effected her birthday). But the point is that I did it! Proving a point is much more important than the consequences that follow. 

Secondly, it was an excellent way to expand my repertoire. Obviously it expanded my repertoire of recipes and cooking techniques (not to mention useless dishes and place settings... ugh). But an unforeseen result of this blog is the expansion of my musical repertoire. Often while I'm writing these posts I'll throw on youtube and search for a song, any song, that happens to come to mind. Then, I'll listen to the recommended songs on the sidebar. Often, I'll put these in the posts. I'm sure you've noticed.

To continue on with that tradition, Wyclef Jean - Knockin on Heaven's Door, is a great place to start. It suits the theme of this post, as it is a remake of Bob Dylan's classic hit. Likewise, on our schedule, this week's post is a remake of another blogger's recipe. Yes, I've actually started following the schedule.

Being that summer has seemed to have forgotten about Victoria, I was craving a cold weather favourite. For me, this is usually soup. Then I remembered a soup that my Nan once made a while back. Dill pickles in soup? I'd thought she'd surely become senile (I'm still not fully convinced that she isn't). But as it turned out, I loved it. Who'd know that tomatoes, dill pickles, and onion would make a delicious soup (other than the hundreds of millions of people who have enjoyed solyanka before me).

If any of you are interested in other Eastern European dishes, or the original post that this came from, you can find it at russianchef.blogspot.ca. If any of you are interested in another amazing remake, check out Wyclef Jean - Wish You Were Here. This is, in my opinion, is an amazing remake of one of Pink Floyd's greatest songs. Most of the time you hear a cover, it sounds as if the artist is just trying to make easy money off of another artist's hit. However, Wyclef's covers seem as if they are paying homage to great artists that have since been forgotten by the majority of today's people, while adding his spin on modern issues. I hope I can pay the same sort of homage to solyanka. Enjoy.




The Playlist:

500g Meat (I used leftover turkey, but any mixture of meat is good).
6-8 Tomatoes, chopped*
2 cups Pickles, chopped
1 Onion, chopped
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1/2 Lemon, juiced*
1 tbsp Honey (sugar if you don't have honey)*
2 Bay leaves*
2 tbsp Parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cup Canola oil
750ml Water
Salt & Pepper, to taste

OPTIONAL - Vegetarian:
1 Carrot, chopped
1/4 head Cabbage, chopped
1 Potato, cubed

*A can of tomato sauce can be used in place of these ingredients.

The Skinny:

  1. In sauce pan: stew tomatoes with bay leaves, parsley, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook on a low simmer for 20 minutes (I mashed mine). Alternatively, you could used a can of tomato sauce to save time.
  2. In frying pan: brown onions, garlic, and meat in oil.
  3. In large pot: bring water to a boil.
  4. While water is heating, combine onions, meat, pickles, and tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Put mixture into boiling water, cover, and remove from heat. Allow to set for 10 minutes.
  6. Serve warm.

Featured on: Chef in Training33 Shades of GreenPremeditated LeftoversSpain in IowaFood Renegades, This Chick Cooks, Lady Behind the Curtain, What's Cooking Love,  

Stay Rad -h

10 comments:

  1. ...do you have monogrammed napkins?

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    1. Ugh... my mom got them for me as a stocking stuffer. The only other napkins I had were wendy's ones. Don't make fun!!

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  2. I always love to read your posts. :) I never put music on when I'm writing, but I need to start.

    The soup looks delicious. I've never had it, or even heard of it. Thanks for sharing with Hearth and Soul!

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    1. I find that the music helps get rid of writer's block and usually sets the tone of the post (which is most likely goofy). Hope you get a chance to try the soup when the weather gets cooler again. :) thanks for stopping by!

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  3. (and I want monogrammed napkins hehe)

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  4. Your soup looks amazing! It is funny how you can combine seemingly odd ingredients and end up with something that is so much more delicious than the individual components.

    I almost always have music on when I am in the kitchen (probably TMI, but I cook in my socks, so I can dance on the hard wood floors). I rarely have music on when I write because I have a hard time sitting still when I have music on. Your songs were really good examples of remakes that completely stand on their own while paying homage to another - perfect music for your recipe.

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    1. I find that if I don't have music I just get lost looking at the screen. I guess it's like my version of camomile tea. One thing I will change about the recipe is to not use gherkin pickles. They were a bit too crunchy.

      As always, thank you for checking in!

      -h

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    2. alea, it's only TMI if you're cooking your socks...and only your socks ;)

      K.

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  5. I decided I'm in love with Russian recipes as of late. I HAVE to try this one out. Thanks!

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    1. I must admit, I haven't really explored their cooking a lot other than reading about it on websites. But what I have had, I really enjoy (especially the simplicity). Thanks for stopping by!

      -h

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