Kasha (Buckwheat)

Step 1: Chop mushrooms, fry with favorite seasoning with oil until mushrooms lose moisture

Step 2: Chop onions and carrots, add to mushrooms

Step 2.5: Add BACON (optional)

Step 3: Add frozen peas last, cover until they warm up

Step 4: Separately, boil water (or broth) and add buckwheat (2:1 ratio)

Step 5: Combine Steps 1-4, season to taste (garlic, salt, pepper - spicy is best!)

Step 6: Garnish with fresh-squeezed lemon juice

Butternut Squash Soup

Step 1: Peel, clean and cube 1 medium squash (~1"x1" cubes)

Step 2: Sear squash cubes in oil in a pot for ~2 min

Step 3: Add hot water to cover the cubes

Step 4: Season with fresh grated ginger, garlic, salt, pepper

Step 5: Cook on low for ~30 min, until cubes are soft enough to mush

Step 6: Mush cubes with fork, finish with hand-held mixer

Serve with a dollop of sour cream, garnish with green, squirt of lemon juice

Russian Meat Patties

Step 1: 1lb Ground meat - 80% beef/veal/pork mix (more fat content is better)

Step 2: Combine meat with 1 egg, salt, pepper, chopped parsley/dill/cilantro, garlic and mix by hand. Thoroughly mixing with hands makes patties fluffier later

Step 3: Soak ~1 cup bread crumbs in some milk and add to mixture from step (2). Add a bit of water. 

Step 4: Heat up oil on pan, hand-make small patties, and fry until both sides are brown

 Check thickest patty for readiness by cutting it in half

Step 5: Serve with mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables (cucumbers or tomatoes)

Alternative serving suggestions - brussel sprouts!