Christmas Eve Zapraska Soup Food

SLOVAK CHRISTMAS EVE MUSHROOM SOUP

Steps:

• Saute chopped onions in 1 cup butter until golden brown.
• Add finely chopped mushrooms to onions, and cook until mushrooms are done.
• Add water and cans of sauerkraut juice, bring to boil, lower heat and simmer 1/2 hour.
• In a small sauce pan brown remaining 1/4 cup butter, adding flour to make a roux.
• Slowly add some soup juice (about 2 cups) to the roux, stirring to blend.
• Add roux to soup and cook another 15 minutes to 30 minutes. Serve.

UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS KUTYA ( KUTIA)

Steps:

• In a medium pot, combine wheat kernels and milk.
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 3 hours.
• Add more liquid as necessary to keep kernels covered.
• Scald the poppy seeds with boiling water, drain, and add lukewarm water to cover.
• Soak 30 minutes, drain and grind in a food processor.
• Set aside.
• Drain water from wheat kernels and keep 1/2 cup of the liquid.
• Add the honey to the liquid and mix well.
• Mix kernels, honey, ground poppy seeds, almonds, apricots, raisins, and salt.
• Bake in a 2-quart casserole dish, uncovered, at 325 degrees for 20 minutes.
• Kutia may be served warm or chilled, and sprinkled with cinnamon, but it is best when prepared several days ahead of time in order for the full flavor to develop.
• Kutia can be refrigerated for up to two weeks.

CHRISTMAS EVE ZAPRASKA SOUP

Steps:

• Cook the vegetables in water for 1 1/2 hours. Add the zapraska and sauerkraut juice and cook for 30 more minutes.
• **To prepare zapraska:
• Brown the flour in the oil until pasty, add the water mixing constantly until smooth. Add to the soup and follow instructions above.

NAT'S NUTS AND BOLTS

Steps:

• Mix dry ingredients.
• Put dry ingredients in a large roasting pan.
• Mix sauce ingredients.
• Mix sauce into cereal mixture-toss well.
• Cover, cook at 225°F for 1 hour.
• Remove lid, cook another hour, stirring occasionally.
• Let cool, can be put into tins or Tupperware and frozen until ready to serve.

AMAZING ITALIAN TOMATO SOUP

Steps:

• Brown and drain your ground beef. Set it aside in a covered bowl until ready to use.
• Chop your onions, celery, and garlic finely.
• Slice your tomatoes discarding the end pieces.
• Lightly spray the bottom of a 5 quart (or larger) stewpot with cooking spray. Saute your onions, celery, and garlic until the celery is fork-tender.
• Add your chicken broth. If you prefer your soup with a thicker consistency, reduce the amount of chicken broth, or increase the amount of fire roasted tomatoes.
• Bring to a gentle boil, then add all other ingredients EXCEPT the ground beef. Continue to boil about 5 minutes.
• Reduce heat to simmer and add your browned ground beef. Omit the groud beef if you want a vegetarian soup.
• Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and more Italian Seasoning to suit your taste preferences.
• Serve with a variety of toppings on the side which your guests can add on their own. Shredded Italian cheeses, grated Parmesan Cheese, Chopped Spring Onions, and Seasoned Bread Crumbs work well.
• Your guests will think you were born in Sicily as they warm up their taste buds with a bowl of your soup.