From Mary Stadnyk on Nov. 8, 1982 . . . and MUSHROOM PEROGIES

Nov 8^th 1982

I had the big seat to myself but I didn’t sleep, didn’t want to.  I thank you very much for the big dinner, I still feel guilty that you had to pay so much, thank you for all the pizzas and everything else, I had a lovely time.

When I got home Dad was sanding a chair he was fixing, all the dust on the floor, he didn’t sweep the floor so I did today.  Dad put the chair together today, tomorrow he will varnish it. 

I am going to bake a fish for supper.

It didn’t snow here as much.  I miss the baby, her many sayings, hope she didn’t get the cold.  

Diana phoned last night, she was making apple stadenow and wanted some advice.  I forgot to ask her if they for sure will come for Christmas. 

I still didn’t get together to crochet the rug, perhaps tonight as last night I was watching “Kramer versus Kramer”.  And went to bed at 10 o’clock.

 

Tomorrow we will go to town to cash my cheque and put an ad about my plants.

I will close for now wishing you all the best.

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Nicole bought a huge $35.00 bag of dried Porcini mushrooms from Indiana so that I could make perogies.  Here’s the recipe I worked out:

      How do you like my new apron?  I picked it up at a Farmer's Market in Laredo.

Eleanor's MUSHROOM PEROGIES

2 ounces dried porcini mushrooms  (or ¾ ounce)

8 ounces fresh mushrooms (button or mixed varieties)

1 medium onion :  8 ounces

2 tbsp butter  

½ tsp dried dill

1 large garlic clove

¼ tsp pepper

1 tsp salt  

1 large onion for sautéed garnish on cooked perogies

Sour cream

·        Cover dried mushrooms with 2 cups boiling water.  Let stand 10 to 20 minutes until softened.  Drain and check for grit; if necessary, rinse the mushrooms well.  Chop the mushrooms finely.  

(The mushroom water may be reserved for making soup, etc.)

·        Chop onion finely in food processor.

·        Chop garlic finely.

·        Chop fresh mushrooms finely in food processor.

·        Heat butter in large skillet over medium heat.   Add onion and garlic and cook about 4 minutes until transparent.

·        Add finely chopped dried and fresh mushrooms.  Cook for about 8 minutes until tender and liquid has evaporated.   (If desired, add some mushroom liquid to increase cooking time, but cook until it evaporates.)

·        Stir in dill, salt, and pepper.  Taste.  Add more seasonings if desired.

For Mary Stadnyk’s dough and instructions on how to stuff and cook perogies/vareniki see: 

http://eleanorstadnyk.blogspot.com/2012/06/perogiesvarenikipyrohi.html

*Serve hot, boiled vareniki with sautéed onions and sour cream.

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Daniela’s carved, footed wooden dish from Ukraine