Ratzschs Bean Soup Food

SERIOUSLY GOOD WHITE BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a stockpot pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and the tomato paste. Cook, stirring often until the vegetables have softened and the onions are translucent; 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add the garlic, black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and the red pepper flakes. Cook, while stirring, for one minute.
• Stir in the beans, broth, thyme and the bay leaves. Raise the heat to medium-high and bring the soup to a boil. Partially cover the pot with a lid, and then reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer.
• Simmer for 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Add the pasta and cook for 5 minutes more, and then add the spinach or kale and cook until its bright green and tender and the pasta is cooked, about 5 minutes more.
• Take the pot off of the heat and remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Stir in the lemon slices. Taste and season with more salt and pepper. Serve. The lemon slices are not intended to be eaten, but they add a lovely lemon flavor to the soup.

BASIC BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the beans with the water, cover and let soak overnight.
• In a large pot over medium high heat, combine the soaked beans with water, carrots, onion and ham. Add more water to cover all, if necessary. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let simmer for 4 to 6 hours. Add ketchup just to get desired color. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

SIMPLE RED BEAN-AND-RICE SOUP

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high. Add onion and bell pepper and saute until softened, 5 minutes. Add garlic and Cajun seasoning and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add broth and beans and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and season with salt. Simmer until broth is slightly thickened, about 20 minutes, skimming any foam that rises to top.
• Stir in rice and cook, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes. Add scallions and cook 5 minutes. Remove from heat and season with additional Cajun seasoning, if desired.

SAUERBRATEN, KARL RATZSCH'S OLD WORLD RESTAURANT STYLE

Steps:

• Trim meat of all but a thin layer of fat; place in a glass bowl.
• Add water, vinegar, sugar, onions, celery, salt, pepper and pickling spices to bowl; stir to mix.
• Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 3 to 5 days, turning meat each day.
• (The flavor is more intense with each day that passes).
• Remove meat from marinade; reserve marinade; pat meat dry with paper toweling.
• Heat shortening in dutch oven.
• Brown meat on all sides.
• Remove fat from pan.
• Pour marinade over meat.
• Roast uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
• Cover; continue roasting 2 1/2- 3 hours, or until meat is tender.
• Remove meat to platter.
• Strain marinade; remove fat and return marinade to pan.
• Stir in gingersnap crumbs.
• Heat until thickened; strain again.
• Slice meat and serve with gravy.

KARL RATZSCH'S HUNGARIAN BEEF GOULASH

Steps:

• Cut meat up into 1 1/2 inch squares. Sauté onions in butter until transparent, but not brown. Add meat and cook for 10-15 minutes Add the flour and stir well. Add the salt, pepper, and beef stock just enough to cover the meat. Cover the pan and bring up to the boil. Lower the heat, add the paprika, and simmer until tender, about 1 1/2 hours. If you prefer a thicker gravy stir 2 Tbs flour into 1/4 cup cold water and add to meat mixture near the end of the cooking time. Serves 4-6.