Ingredients:
o 3 tbsp vegetable oil
o 2-3 bay leaves
o 1 tsp black peppercorns
o 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
o 1 small package of fresh dill, finely minced tips, divided in two (half to put in the soup while cooking the other to add to the soup when serving, Also chop the stems and put them in at the beginning so the have time to soften.)
o 1 chopped onion
o 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
o 1 stalk chopped celery
o 1 large small sliced carrot
o 2 cup chopped red cabbage
o 2-3 medium potatoes peeled and chopped into bite sized pieces
o 1 cans of beets, diced into bite sized pieces (1cup fresh or frozen)
o 1 can (small) chopped tomatoes
o 4 litres beef broth (The key here is to have enough to make it as “soupy” as you personally prefer it)
o 1 link Farmer sausage - sliced into medallions
o 1 cup boneless pork shoulder picnic (when you remove the bone keep it and add it to the soup while cooking for added flavour. NOTE - Trim off excess fat and skin to keep it as low fat as possible.)
o Vinegar to taste (about ¼ cup)
o Salt and Pepper to taste
o Sour Cream (in each bowl you dish out)
Directions:
1. Heat vegetable oil to medium in a large soup pot. Add onions and celery, let the vegetables sweat, but not brown, stirring occasionally (about 10 minutes or until translucent.) Add the garlic about a minute before you are ready to add the liquid.
2. Wrap the bay leaf, peppercorns, mustard seeds, in a piece of cheesecloth (or use a strainer ball) and tie it securely with a piece of string. (A bouquet garni) and add it with the broth.
4. Add the broth, the tomatoes (if using), the Sausage and Ham and the rough, stem-end portion of the dill (it will soften and incorporate itself). Stir everything to combine and bring up to a boil. When the pot begins to boil, reduce heat to medium low and let simmer slowly for 2 hours.
5. With 45 minutes left in the cooking process add the sliced cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and vinegar, and let simmer for the remaining time.
6. To serve stir in the remaining tip-end minced
fresh dill. Top with a tablespoon of sour cream.
