Uncle Bills Sauerkraut With Wine Food

AUNT PEGGY AND UNCLE BILL'S STUFFED CABBAGE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Insert a large fork into the bottom of the cabbage. Holding the fork place the cabbage into the boiling water for about 10 seconds. Remove from water and peel off the leaves. Place the leaves in a large bowl and set aside.
• Combine ground beef, uncooked rice, meatloaf seasoning, and eggs. Stir thoroughly; set aside.
• Remove cabbage leaves from the bowl and cut off white thick stem part. Line a large oven-safe 9 x 12 baking dish with the smaller inner white cabbage leaves.
• Place 2 tablespoons of meat mixture in the center of a leaf. Fold over sides and roll up. Repeat with remaining leaves and meat. Place cabbage rolls seam side down in cabbage leaf lined pan. Cover with chopped onions.
• In a small bowl, stir together pasta sauce and diced tomatoes. Pour over onions and cover pan with foil. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour.
• Serve hot with sauce.

UNCLE BILL'S SAUERKRAUT FILLING FOR PEROGIES

Steps:

• Squeeze as much liquid from the sauerkraut and discard.
• In a large frying, add sauerkraut and fry on medium-high heat for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
• DO NOT BURN AND DO NOT USE ANY BUTTER OR OIL FOR FRYING.
• When done, transfer sauerkraut to a bowl and set aside.
• Using the same frying pan, add butter, garlic, onions and saute' for 3 minutes or until golden.
• Add sweet red pepper, green pepper and sauerkraut, mix well.
• Fry for 10 minutes, stirring often.
• DO NOT BURN.
• Cool slightly before filling dough perogies.
• Use 1 heaping tablespoon for each perogie if using the 4" diameter Mini Form.

UNCLE BILL'S SAUERKRAUT WITH WINE

Steps:

• Break away any bad outside leaves and discard.
• Rinse cabbage under cold running water.
• Cut cabbage heads into quarters.
• Do not use cores, discard them after shredding.
• Finely shred cabbage or slice with a good sharp knife.
• In a large crock, layer with 2 inches of shredded cabbage.
• Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of pickling salt.
• Place sliced pieces of one red pepper over.
• Repeat layering until all cabbage, salt and red pepper are used up.
• There should be about 4 layers.
• Pour water over cabbage.
• Now pour the wine over cabbage.
• Place a large plate to cover most of the top surface of the cabbage.
• Place a 4 to 5 pound clean rock (cleaned and washed and soaked in white vinegar) on top of the plate as a weight.
• If liquid does not come to the surface, just add a bit more cold water (or wine if you prefer.) Cover top with several layers of cheesecloth and tie with a good string so the cloth does not fall off.
• Leave cabbage to ferment for 2 to 3 weeks in a warm area (70 F to 75 F) or until it starts to foam around the edges of the plate.
• Move the crock to a cooler area (about 60 F to 65 F) and continue to ferment for another 2 weeks.
• At this time, taste to see if the sauerkraut is curing.
• When it suits your taste, pack the sauerkraut and some liquid into 12 sterilized quart size jars leaving a 1/2" head space.
• Wipe jar rims clean.
• Prepare and place lids according to manufacturers instructions.
• Place screw lids on just finger tight.
• Process in boiling water in a canner for 25 minutes.
• Remove jars and allow to cool for 12 hours.
• Check to see if all jars are sealed.
• Lids should be concave (curved down).
• Re-process jars that are not sealed, but remember to change with new lids.
• Store in a cool, dark place.

UNCLE BILL'S CARROTS - TURNIP - PARSNIP DISH

Steps:

• Prepare vegetables as noted and place them in a large saucepan.
• Cover with water, bring to boil.
• Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 30 minutues or until vegetables are tender.
• Drain well.
• Add salt, pepper and butter and mash well.
• Serve as a vegetable with your meal.
• This is also very good the next day, re-heated.
• Parsnips are available in different sizes. Measured across the top of the parsnips, Small - about 1 inch, Medium - about 1 1/2 inches, Large - about 2 inches.

UNCLE BILL'S RUSSIAN/DOUKHOBOUR BORSCHT

Steps:

• In a large (8 quart) stock pot, add water and bring to boil.
• Add 1/2 cup of mashed tomatoes, quartered potatoes, chopped carrots, chopped onions, salt and beets and return to boil.
• Reduce heat to medium and cook uncovered for 15 minutes or until potatoes are just cooked.
• Meanwhile, begin to prepare all vegetables.
• When potatoes are cooked, remove with a slotted spoon into a mixing bowl.
• Add 3 tablespoons butter to potatoes, mash well.
• Stir in whipping cream, mixing well to incorporate; set aside.
• In a large frying pan, melt 3 tablespoons butter, add chopped onions and saute' until just softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add remaining mashed tomatoes and simmer uncovered until reduced to a creamy consistency.
• The sauce will be thickened.
• Cover, reduce heat to keep warm.
• In another large frying pan, melt the remainder 3 tablespoons butter, add 4 cups of shredded cabbage and on medium heat, fry until softened and very lightly browned, about 15 minutes, DO NOT BURN.
• Remove from heat and set aside.
• To the cooking pot, add cubed potatoes and 1/2 cup of tomato-onion mixture.
• Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
• Add cauliflower and celery and continue to boil gently until potatoes are just tender.
• Stir in remaining 4 cups of raw shredded cabbage and return soup to boil.
• Reduce heat; stir in mashed potatoes, fried cabbage and remaining tomato-onion mixture.
• Add diced green and red peppers, freshly ground black pepper, dill weed, lemon juice.
• Return to boil and cook for 3 more minutes.
• Cover and reduce heat to just warm and let borscht sit for 30 minutes for flavors to blend.
• Remove beets and discard or eat them separately.
• The beets are for coloring only.
• Adjust seasonings to taste.
• If borscht is too sweet to your liking, stir in some additional lemon juice.
• If desired, serve with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.
• Refrigerate any unused portions.
• Traditionally, medium or sharp cheddar cheese pieces and fresh bread or buns are served with the borscht.

UNCLE BILL'S CRISPY HALIBUT STEAKS

Steps:

• Rinse halibut steaks in cold water, then pat dry on paper towels.
• In a bowl, whisk eggs, add mustard and whisk until blended.
• In a shallow dish, combine garlic powder, dill weed, crushed cornflakes, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasonings; mix well to blend.
• Dip halibut steaks in egg mixture.
• Now place halibut steaks individually in dry mixture and coal both sides well.
• BAKING.
• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• In a 13 x 9 inch oven-proof casserole dish add olive oil and butter.
• Place dish in heated oven until butter melts.
• Place coated steaks in casserole dish in a single layer.
• Bake in preheated 450 F oven for 5 minutes, then turn over and continue to bake for another 5 minutes or until fish flakes when tested with a fork.
• DO NOT OVERCOOK halibut steaks.
• FRYING.
• In a large frying pan, melt butter with olive oil on medium high heat.
• Add steaks and fry for 5 minutes on each side or until fish flakes when tested with a fork.
• DO NOT OVERCOOK halibut steaks.
• Serve with with a nice homemade tartar sauce.

UNCLE BILL'S VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• In a large cooking pot, add water and bring to boil.
• Add quartered potatoes, crushed tomatoes including liquid, onion, carrots, beans, chicken soup base and bring to boil.
• Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
• Remove potatoes into a bowl and mash.
• Add 3 tablespoons of butter and 1/4 cup of whipping cream to the mashed potatoes and mix well to blend; set aside.
• To soup pot add 2 tablespoons of butter, cubed potatoes, celery, small peas, dried dill weed, salt, pepper and simmer for 10 minutes or until potatoes are just tender.
• Add mashed potato mixture and stir well.
• Bring soup just to boil.
• Adjust seasonings to taste.
• Serve hot.

UNCLE BILL'S FRIED POTATOES AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Peel and slice potatoes about 1/8 inch thick or thinner.
• Slice onion thinly.
• In a large frying pan on medium-high heat, melt butter, add olive oil.
• Add sliced potatoes and onions, cover and fry for 10 minutes. Using a spatula, turn the potatoes and onions over so they do not break apart. If potatoes appear too dry, add some additional butter.
• Sprinkle with granulated garlic powder, dried dill weed, salt and pepper and continue to fry with cover removed for another 5 minutes or until potatoes begin to turn slightly brown; turning occasionally.
• Serve hot with your meal.
• Note: You may use 2 or 3 large garlic cloves (chopped small), instead of granulated garlic powder. Add to the potatoes after the first 10 minutes of cooking time.

UNCLE BILL'S FRESH YOUNG PEA & VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• In a cooking pot on medium-high heat, melt butter and add olive oil.
• Add chopped onions and saute' on medium-high heat for 5 minutes.
• Add garlic and saute' for another 2 minutes.
• Add chicken broth and water and bring to boil.
• Add chicken soup base, cubed nugget potatoes, and cook for 4 minutes.
• Add carrots, dill weed, parsley and continue to cook for another 5 minutes or until carrots are just tender, but still firm.
• Add cauliflower, celery, young peas, red pepper, green onion, white pepper, seasoning salt, Idaho potato flakes and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.
• Reduce heat and add whipping cream slowly, stirring all the while when adding.
• Adjust seasonings to taste.
• Remove soup from heat and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
• Refrigerate any unused portions.

UNCLE BILL'S PEROGIE DOUGH

Steps:

• In a large size mixing bowl, mix together eggs, milk, whipping cream, sour cream and salt and whisk until well blended.
• Add baking powder and blend until incorporated.
• Add flour one cup at a time and whisk well the first two cups.
• Add the third cup and now mix using a large plastic spoon or a wooden spoon.
• Add the fourth cup and continue mixing with a spoon.
• At this point, you may not be able to pick up all the flour, so roll out the contents onto a lightly floured surface.
• Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and shiny.
• If the dough is still sticky add a bit more flour and continue to knead until it is not sticky and does not stick to your hands.
• Break dough off into chunks and roll between your hands to the size of a golf ball.
• On a lightly floured surface, firstly flatten the dough ball with the palm of your hand to about 1/2-inch thickness, then coat each side very lightly with some flour.
• Using a heavy rolling pin, (I prefer a marble rolling pin), start to roll out the dough.
• As you are rolling, the dough should stick to the rolling pin.
• When this happens and the dough is almost all the way around the rolling pin, peel the dough off as it should come off very easy.
• Place the dough back on the rolling surface with the side that was against the rolling pin should now be on the rolling surface.
• Very lightly, dust the top surface ONLY with a bit of flour.
• Start rolling again, roll back and forth, then side to side to try and keep the dough round.
• The dough should now be sticking to the rolling surface and not onto the rolling pin.
• You will note that the dough does not "snap" back to a smaller round.
• Should this happen, just re-roll again.
• When finished rolling, the dough should be about 1/16-inch in thickness.
• Open the Mini Form (photo above) and rub the surface with some flour, this will prevent the dough from sticking to the Mini Form.
• Place the rolled dough over the Mini Form and make sure that the dough is well over the edges of the Mini Form.
• Place about 1 heaping tablespoon of your choice of filling in the center of the dough.
• Pick the Mini Form up and close it slightly.
• If necessary, push the filling down just a bit.
• Now fold the Mini Form completely shut and press tightly.
• Hold the Mini Form closed and remove excess dough with your thumb or finger. This helps seal the edges of the dough.
• Use the excess dough to form more dough balls.
• Open the Mini Form and the perogi should drop out easily.
• Set perogi aside until you prepare more.
• Continue to make perogies with the remaining dough.
• You can use whatever size of Mini Form that you desire, the 3 1/4" or 4". Five and 6" Mini Forms are also available.
• COOKING INSTRUCTIONS.
• In a large cooking pot or pasta pot, fill 3/4 full with water and bring to a boil.
• Add 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil or a good vegetable oil.
• Gently add about 8 to 10 perogies to the pot, stir gently with a slotted spoon and bring back to boil.
• Cook, uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes or until perogies float to the surface.
• Remove with a slotted spoon into a bowl.
• The perogies may be eaten immediately with some butter or margarine, a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of chopped green onions or chives.
• The amount of perogies may vary depending on the size of Mini Form you are using.
• If desired, preheat a frying pan to medium-high heat, add 3 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil or vegetable oil.
• Add some finely chopped onions to the frying pan and sauté for 2 minutes.
• Now add the perogies, cover and lightly fry until they are lightly browned on both sides, turning once.
• Serve immediately with more butter if desired, a dollop of sour cream, chopped green onions or chives and even some cooked chopped bacon bits.
• These perogies freeze well.
• After the perogies are boiled, place them on a cookie sheet (absorb any water with paper towels).
• Place sheet in freezer for at least 2 hours until perogies are frozen.
• Place them into freezer bags or vacuum seal bags in whatever quantities are best for you and return the sealed units back to the freezer.
• The perogies will last from 6 months to 1 year when frozen.