Recipes

MY Favorite Recipes!

I have loved to cook for as long as I can remember. I loved the sounds and smells coming from the kitchen while my grandmothers and mother were cooking. I loved to hear their laughter and conversation as they worked to prepared the meal for our big family. 

Our family meals seemed almost magical as we all sat down to eat together. I have very fond memories of listening to the adult conversations and feeling very privileged to hear their talk of the goings on of the day. 

I LOVED it when I was allowed to sit at the adult table so I could really get in on the conversation...even if only as a silent listener! Family conversation was always very lively and often filled with laughter as my dad and uncles joked with one another. 

Food was always something special at our house. We often had special traditions, such a a cheese nut loaf for Thanksgiving dinner (Instead of Turkey as we were vegetarians for the first 8 years of my life!) and deviled eggs at Easter. 

My grandma Mildred often made delicious salads such as her famous beet salad or carrot raisin salad (my favorite!) or and array of different kinds of jello salads.  

Mildred's greatest specialties were her birthday cakes she took great pride in making for each family member on their special day...and most of all her wide variety of incredibly delicious cookies! YES! She was the cookie grandma!!

My Grandma Belva was known for her southern fried chicken, stuffing, and YUMMY cornbread (After we no longer were vegetarian. You can read about why this change was made in our family here.) She also made the most delicious cream cheese cupcakes ever. 

I began collecting cookbooks when I was about 12 years old. My grandma Mildred made one for my cousin Michelle and I one year for Christmas. Then each year after that, I added more and more cookbooks to my hope chest. By the time I was married, I had a full shelf of cookbooks to choose from.

One of my greatest JOYS has been cooking meals for my family!

Here is one of my favorite recipes that is fairly new to our family and originated from my daughter Danielle Bork. Every time she makes this, our family can not get enough! Even the kids go back for seconds and thirds! It is SERIOUSLY the YUMMIEST soup ever! AND super healthy for you to boot. IF you never thought you liked beets...this soup will change your mind FOREVER!! LOL

Ukrainian Borsch Soup

Or as we call it...

BEET SOUP     =)

Serves 6-8

3 beets

3 potatoes

3 carrots

1/2 head of cabbage

3 cloves of garlic

1 onion

diced tomatoes

1 tomato paste

1 lb sausage (Optional)
Organic sour cream (Dollop on top!)
Healthier Tortilla Chips (Such as these or these  homemade chips or these, these,(*My preference!)  these or these if  you don't have time to bake them.) 

Fill pot 1/4 to 1/2 full with water bring to boil, add shredded beets. Cook till they lose color. Add cooked sausage. Add shredded carrot and diced potatoes. Cook about 5 min then add shredded/chopped cabbage. Cook till soft. Add chopped garlic and diced tomatoes. 

in pan saute onion, add 1/4 cup water and tomato paste. Mix and add to soup. salt and pepper to taste

Serve with sour cream on top and tortilla chips. 

*Although I do not feel that Sunflower oil is the healthiest oil, these chips I've listed are a much healthier version of the traditional chip.

 I prefer to usually make my own healthy chips with non GMO, organic corn chips and a little coconut oil and sea salt brushed on the cooking sheet and baked at 350 degrees until crisp.  


For more recipes click here.