Month: September 2017

Great side dish with white fish or salmon.

Ingredients:

• 2 large russet potatoes, raw (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 1/4 cup onion (about 1/2 of a small onion)
• 1 egg
• 1 Tablespoon flour (whole wheat or all-purpose)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Pepper to taste
• 3 teaspoons oil, divided, for frying (I use peanut oil)

Instructions:

1. Place peeled & chopped potatoes and onion into a food processor. Process for about 30 seconds until lumps are gone.
2. Place in a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and let drain for 5 minutes or longer.
3. Carefully pour off the drained liquid but keep the white starch that’s settled on the bottom.
4. To the starch, add the drained potato/onion mixture, egg, flour, salt, & pepper.
5. In a cast iron skillet, heat 1/2 teaspoon of oil over medium heat. Spoon 1/4 cup mounds into pan, flattening each one to an even thickness.
6. Cook about 3 minutes per side, adding 1/2 teaspoon oil as needed. If not using cast iron, cook over med-high and they make take a little longer. (You can keep them warm in a 200° oven on a paper towel-lined pan.)

A great dish from Poland.  Easy to make and a pre-dinner appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 1 large head of cabbage (about 3 lbs.) – or use 2 smaller heads
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup diced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 large mushrooms, finely diced – 1 1/2 cups (optional)
• 1 pound ground sirloin
• 3/4 cup uncooked long grain rice (brown or white)
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1 cup Pomi strained tomatoes or canned tomato puree
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• pepper to taste
• 3/4 cup liquid (beef stock, cabbage water, or combine with some leftover tomato for 3/4 cup)

Instructions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cut center core out of cabbage and place, core side down, in boiling water. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. While cabbage simmers, heat oil in pan over med-high heat and sauté onion and garlic 3-5 minutes until browned. Add mushrooms and cook another 2 minutes. Transfer mixture to a large bowl to cool.
3. Remove cabbage to a rimmed baking sheet, keeping water in the pot. Gently remove leaves from cabbage, cutting away from the core with a small knife. Set aside the best 16 unbroken leaves and cut off the thick spine in the center for easier rolling. Set all remaining broken or small cabbage leaves aside. (If the core is too firm, return it to boiling water for a few minutes to soften)
4. Preheat oven to 350° F.
5. To cooled onion mixture, add meat, rice, parsley, tomato, salt & pepper. Combine well.
6. Place about 1/4 cup of filling in each leaf, roll, and place seam side down in a 13 by 9-inch pan. Pour liquid over rolls and lay some leftover leaves on top. Cover pan tightly with foil, and bake for 1 1/2 hours. (Place pan on a cookie sheet in case it drips)
7. Remove from oven and let rest 30 minutes or better still, refrigerate overnight.