I had my first deer sighting of the season while returning from my morning walk...there were two (and I almost missed them so there may have been more) that crossed in front of me but I had been looking down and just happened to look up at that instant. I had my earphones in so I didn't hear them, a reminder that being "wired" is not always a good thing. We miss so much of what is going on in the natural world around us. I will be doing more of my walking "unplugged" in the future.
I ate my first "hot" apple of the season, swiped from the neighboring orchard on one of my walks. Gasp! ...I know... I know...I'm on a spiraling descent into the fiery pits of Hell but don't despair for me... as my daughter always says, "That's where all the interesting people are."
Always thinking of my stomach, I enjoyed my first corn boil of the season, late I know, but it was just too hot before now to enjoy it ...and I had my first taste of BORSCHT. I have heard people say how good it is so I decided to use some beets from our garden and give it a try. It didn't disappoint and I will be making it again.
BORSCHT - BEET SOUP
2 c. beets (canned or cooked & peeled)
1/2 c. carrots, peeled & cut
2 c. beef bouillon or broth
1 tbsp. vinegar
1 tbsp. dill weed
garnish
1 tsp. dill weed
1 tbsp. sour cream per serving (opt.)
I cooked beets from my garden the day before. Wash beets and cook in water until tender, drain and run cold water over them. The skin will easily slip off. Refrigerate until you are ready to make your soup.
Cook carrots in bouillon. Do not drain but allow to cool enough so you can puree the mixture in the blender. Blend in portions...some carrot/bouillon along with some beets, pour into soup pot and repeat until all the carrots and beets have been pureed...If you don't have a blender, mash with a potato masher. Add vinegar and dill weed. The pureed version is very elegant. Reheat soup ladle into bowls and top soup with 1 tablespoon of sour cream. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon dill weed. This soup can be served hot or chilled.
Footnote:
Don't try this one on kids unless you are wearing head to toe protection. I offered it as "Christmas Soup" to my daycare kiddies after first setting the scene by singing Jingle Bells with them, but I couldn't pull the wool over their eyes this time. The one little guy I expected not to eat it did while the rest balked. The baby spit out the first spoonful and sent the second one flying hence the warning about full body protection. Lets hope the Tomato Orzo soup planned for tomorrow goes off better than the Borscht.
Your first Borscht!?!?! It's a fave around here. Glad you liked it.
ReplyDeleteBon Appetite, jj
Yes, the deer will be getting more visible as their rut season draws closer --
ReplyDeleteIn regards to your borscht recipe -- I'm not a big fan of beets -- but it does look delicious. Maybe I'll have to try it. :)
Mom, here's the ultimate borscht recipe for a chilly winter's night: http://www.chow.com/recipes/10817-borscht
ReplyDelete(PS. I've added potatoes, too, which is good. And use onion instead of leeks)
Thanks Grace. I did check it out and it sounds delicious. I saved it in my recipe folder so I can use it the next time.
ReplyDelete