Workday Borscht Vegetarian Crock Pot Food

WORKDAY BORSCHT (VEGETARIAN/ CROCK POT)

Steps:

• Remove tops from beets and set aside for another use. Peel beets and cut in half if larger than 2 inches in diameter.
• Place beets, potato, onion, broth, and tomato paste in slow cooker and cook on high heat for 4 hours or low heat for 8 hours.
• Process soup in batches in a blender until smooth and return to slow cooker. Take great care when blending hot liquids. Do not fill blender canister more than half full, and make sure that the top is securely attached.
• Before you are ready to serve, bury the cabbage in the puree. Cook on high, covered, for 45 minutes. Add 1/4 cup dill, vinegar and lemon juice and season to taste with salt.
• In a separate bowl, mix remainder of dill with sour cream. Serve with a dollop of the sour cream in each bowl of soup and with lemon wedges.

BORSCHT

Steps:

• Brown bacon well but not crisp.
• Add onions, potatoes, carrots and saute for 5 minutes.
• Fill dutch oven 1 1/2 inches from the top with water.
• Add salt, pepper and shredded beets.
• Cook 20 minutes on medium heat.
• Add vinegar and cook until vegetables are tender.
• About 30 to 45 minutes.
• This is best if refrigerated over night, then served.

VEGETARIAN CROCK POT UNBEEF STEW

Steps:

• Wrap and freeze the tofu and then let it thaw out completely. Drain the water from the tofu, and cut into slices. Press out any remaining water. Cut the slices into chunks and bake at 200°F on an ungreased cookie sheet while chopping the rest of the ingredients; check the tofu about every 10 to 15 minutes so that it doesn't get browned--it should just be dried out, not burned. The tofu should be well dried out, like croutons.
• Place all of the prepared ingredients into a crockpot, stir well, and cook on high for at least 6 to 8 hours, stirring occasionally. The stew is ready when it is thick and brown, and the vegetables are fork tender.
• To press water from tofu:.
• Place tofu block between two dinner plates. Place a heavy object, such as a cast iron pan, on top of the plates and wait for 15 minutes or so. Drain water from plates. Flip tofu block over and replace the plates. Place the cast iron pot on top on the plates once again. Drain for 15 minutes more. Discard water. Tofu is now ready to use, or can be placed in a plastic bag. Once bagged, place in the fridge until needed.
• I usually press and drain the tofu when purchased, storing it in a plastic bag in the fridge so it will be ready to use when needed.
• (Preparation time given above does not include pressing tofu).

VEGETARIAN, CROCK POT ROMANIAN BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Soak lima beans in cold water overnight.
• Drain the lima beans and rinse in several changes of water to float away as many loosened shells as possible.
• Place beans in crock pot with 8 cups fresh water, the chopped onion, carrot, garlic and bouillon cube.
• Cover tightly and cook 18 to 24 hours, until beans are very tender.
• Remove from heat and let cool a little.
• In the meantime, heat the butter in a skillet and saute the finely diced onion until it is very brown.
• Ladle a small amount of soup at a time into blender or bowl of a food processor and puree until all soup is pureed.
• Return to pot and stir in browned onions.
• Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste.