"ATW80DS" - Fasol Soup

Soups are a major part of Russian cuisine, A typical Russian meal starts with appetizers (zakuski), moves on to a hearty bowl of soup, proceeds to an equally hearty main course, and finishes with a not-too-sweet dessert. Soup is traditionally consumed on a daily basis, thus explaining the seemingly endless varieties.

 Ingredients:

1 lb of white beans - Canellini or Great Northern
2 quarts of water
2-3 lbs of lamb shanks or any meat hocks
1 cup dry rice
1 cup diced potatoes
1 cup of diced onions
1 cup chopped celery

2 cloves garlic, diced
2 teaspoon of dried vegetable stock
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley and thyme

Method

1.  Soak the beans in at least 2 quarts of cold water over night. Drain the water.
2.  Put the ham shank pieces in a large pot, add chicken stock and cover with water. Bring to a simmer and simmer for about an hour. Add the chopped vegetables and beans. Cook for another hour, until the vegetables are soft and the ham meat easily pulls away from the bone. Add egg noddles and cook until noddles are tender.
3. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with a pinch of chopped fresh parsley and thyme. This recipe serves

 ...The make-over part of this recipe is you leave out the 1/2 stick of butter that is usually used to saute the vegetable in before you add the water and chicken stock. Also you leave the broth clear instead of pureeing half of the vegetable mixture with a 1/2 cup heavy cream that is also called for in most recipes.

* Original Recipe 568 calories / Make-Over Recipe 269 calories