As kids, my sister and I spent many weekends staying with my Polish/Ukrainian Grandparents. At one point in time, we lived right down the street from them, but to us visiting their house still somehow felt like venturing into another world.
My Grandma being big on tradition and my Grandpa being very much a creature of habit meant that on both counts, our visits rarely deviated from a routine. On Friday night, we ate dinner at the Polish Home. There we shared fried fish and large platters of potato and cheese pierogi. If I was lucky, I got to have a 7-Up too (It was the only time I was allowed to drink soda!).
Saturdays were spent lounging around, reading “The Funnies” (comics) in the paper, and watching my Grandma cook, before heading to church later in the evening. The dishes that she made were the typical Ukrainian fare, which she grew up with, including golumpki (stuffed cabbage) and borscht (beet soup). This is her recipe for borscht.
If you have ever searched for a borscht recipe before, then you might know that there are hundreds of variations. My Grandma thought it necessary to use a sparerib for the flavor that the fat imparts. If you prefer, you can omit the meat altogether and make a Vegetarian version of this soup as I often do. You must include the potatoes, however, as they not only thicken the broth, but soak up all of that gorgeous red beet color too!
For another unique way to use potatoes, check out these truffles and find the recipe here.