Eat like a count on the budget of a PEASANT
As I’m writing this we’re in the sixth day of Russia’s war against Ukraine and I wasn’t sure it felt right promoting a dish with Russian origins.
The mistrust of Russians run deep in the Swedish psyche. After all, it’s only been 300 years since last they pillaged, plundered and burnt these shores (never mind that we did it to them 700 years earlier) and it’s only been 40 years since the Whiskey on the rocks incident, where a Soviet submarine ran aground a mere 10 km from one of the largest Swedish naval bases.
Then I reminded myself of that however much I abhor Russia’s actions at the moment she has given us a wealth of beauty and we should not forget that.
So, while we condemn the war-mongering, let’s be sympathetic to the culture which has given us Dostoevsky, Tchaikovsky, Nureyev, The Bolshoi, blinis and borscht.
Easy to cook, quick to make and – not unimportantly – cheap – this dish is a favourite in many Swedish homes. We use Falukorv, a thick sausage made of a finely grated mixture of smoked pork and beef, but any finely grated sausage will work. If you can get hold of Falukorv (maybe in your local IKEA) do try it, otherwise just use ordinary hot dogs.
Sausage Stroganoff
Ingredients
- 500 g sausage cut in coins
- 1 onion large or 2 small finely chopped
- 2 tbsp butter you may use vegetable shortening or oil
- 3 tbsp tomato puree
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp Worchestershire sauce optional
- 1 tsp sugar optional
- 1 tsp ättika you can use other vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 tsp paprika sweet smoked if you have it
- 200 ml cream you may use milk and thicken with corn starch if you want less fat
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sautee the onion in the fat until translucent and soft
- Add the sausage and brown it slightly.
- Powder the paprika over the onion and sausage.
- Stir in tomato puree, mustard, soy sauce and Worcestrshire sauce.
- Now add the cream, stir well and season with ättika (vinegar), sugar (optional but definitely lifts the taste of tomato), salt and pepper.
- Let simmer until it thickens and serve with rice or potato.