GERMAN RUSSIAN PIONEER COOKBOOK RECIPES

Steps:

• Add beets into a Dutch oven or large saucepan. Fill with water and add vinegar. Cook over medium heat until tender, this may take an hour or so. Check for doneness by poking a toothpick or fork into a beet. Remove beets and reserve juice. Peel and dice beets when they have cooled.
• For cooking the rest of the soup you may choose which method of cooking (baking, or slow cooking) that works best for you. Add remaining ingredients (EXCEPT beets, beet leaves, and cream) into a roaster pan to bake in oven, or large crock pot to slow cook.
• Simmer in a 250 degrees oven for 6-8 hours or low in a crock pot for 8-12 hours or until vegetables are tender.
• If the broth looks fatty, strain broth from vegetables, let cool, and skim off fat. Sometimes I may cook the vegetables the day before so that all the fat will separate and flavors blend.
• Add broth, vegetables, beets, and reserved beet juice into a large Dutch oven or stockpot. Bring to a boil.
• Add beet leaves, cook 5 minutes.
• Add cream, turn heat off. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Roll out the pie dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch round, starting at the center and working your way out. (Sprinkle flour over the top of the dough if it’s a bit too moist.) Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie pan. Gently press the dough against the sides of the pan. Tuck the overhanging dough underneath itself, then crimp the edges with your fingers.  Place the chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 50 percent power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted. Scrape the melted chocolate into a large bowl. Add the eggs and whisk until combined. Add the condensed milk, salt and vanilla and whisk until combined. Stir in the pecans and coconut.  Pour the chocolate mixture into the crust. Put the pie on the baking sheet and bake until the filling puffs a little and the top is set but the center is still slightly jiggly, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely, about 2 hours. Top with whipped cream, chopped pecans, coconut and shaved chocolate.