A while back I wrote a song called "My People".
The refrain was "...my people are built low to the ground
for picking potatoes...". This is not only a fact, but an
attitude! We're happiest when we're knee deep in black, fertile
soil. We thrive in dark, dank places. Tubular Bliss! We even
look like potatoes. Russets, Yukon Golds, Reds... but more often
we tend to look like those good old Idaho bakers. You know the
kind; big, lumpy and knobby.
Since we Ukrainians have such an affinity toward potatoes,
it only stands to reason that we know how to cook them! This
is my recipe for a great side dish, although they could easily
be the main event. Hunker down and take a ride on the spud-nik.
Peter's Ukrainian Potatoes
Ingredients
- 8 medium sized Yukon Gold potatoes (peeled)
- 1 large onion (finely diced)
- 4 to 6 cloves garlic (peeled and finely diced)
|
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3/4 of a stick of butter
- salt and pepper to taste
|
- (optional) chopped cilantro, or chives, or parsley,
or dill
|
Cover potatoes with water in cooking pot. Bring to a boil,
then reduce heat to a slow boil. Cook potatoes until done (when
they can easily be pierced with a fork or a knife). I usually
cook the potatoes whole to retain more flavor. When done, drain
the water and slice potatoes into smaller pieces (1" to
2" pieces).
While the potatoes are boiling, heat the olive oil in a skillet
over very low heat. Add butter, and let melt, being careful not
to let it burn. When butter is melted, add onions. Saute onions
for a few minutes, then add garlic. Sprinkle a little salt over
the onions and garlic. Saute until onions are clear. You can
keep this on very low heat until potatoes are done, if you stir
occasionally.
When potatoes have been drained and chopped, add the oil,
butter, onion and garlic mixture along with a little salt and
pepper. and mix thoroughly with potatoes. If you want, you can
add chopped cilantro, parsley, chives or dill at this point.
Serve while still hot.
(click
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East Texas Waltz
I
wrote "East Texas Waltz" in March of 2002, and performed
it on the popular radio show, "A Prairie Home Companion".
I've received many requests for the music from people who heard
it on the radio. Here is the chart that we played it from. Just
melody and chords... well, maybe a little imagination, too! I
recorded this piece on a new CD for Red House Records. The CD
is called "Coming Down From Red Lodge" and will be
available in mid-March, 2003.
Comments, questions or other recipes for borscht? Write to
me at PO Box 11952, Minneapolis MN 55411 or send an e-mail to
Borscht@PeterOstroushko.com.
Earlier tunes and recipes can be found in my Musical
Recipes Archive
Song manuscripts can be
found here
