Beef Stroganoff – or some people call it Steak Stroganoff – is one of those recipes that have different variations. I myself have also tasted different beef stroganoff – and, believe me, every cook claimed this one was the ‘real’ authentic. Though I have made my conclusion – which is – my recipe is the best! It is easy to do and I like it as it is without mixing other ingredients that you may see in different recipes. In the following article I will provide information also on what additional ingredients or cooking methods can be used when cooking Beef Stroganoff for your picnic food. Enjoy!

Beef Stroganoff.

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As the final flurries of snow clear from the ground and the icy winter air warms to a calm spring breeze, the world seems to be a happier place. Tired of cold and storms, people start to focus on all the fun they can have outdoors. Plans start to come together and everyone gets excited for warm weather activities. Soon you are surrounded by invitations to picnics. Company picnics, school picnics, family picnics … Spring is a wonderful time of year and with so many picnics to attend, you can look forward to the familiar faces as well as all the activities that await.

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Solyanka is a very specific soup. It is attributed to Russian and Ukrainian traditional cuisine. It mostly a mannish kind of picnic soup. I would not say it is very healthy, but food experts maintain it has positive health effects during hangover – as it provides the alcohol-intoxicated organism with lots of necessary minerals and microelements. Doctors say fish solyanka is dietary and is good for lever. However, I am going to introduce a meat solyanka. Also it can be a mushroom one as well. There are many recipes of meat solyanka even throughout Russian and Ukrainian people. It is almost that every family has its own “true” and traditional recipe. But, actually it depends on preferences. However most people say real traditional solyanka has nothing to do with adding potato, cabbage and carrot. But some do. I prepare assorted meat solyanka without potato, cabbage, and carrot. Though, in the recipe I will try to include any possible cooking variation of this specific spicy picnic food. Hope you will enjoy this cooking journey!

Assorted Meat Solyanka.

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This cream soup is lacto vegetarian food. Although relatively rich in calories it can be regarded as healthy food. This pumpkin soup tastes unusual. The usual pumpkin sweetish flavor is noticeable as a background taste, whereas spices lead in top flavor. And the spicy garlic croutons along with Parmesan – give it something special as well.

Personally I like pumpkin freshly juiced or baked. There were some soup experiments with this vegetable in my past but I even can’t remember how it tasted – meaning nothing special. That is why I got down to this recipe being quite skeptical. One thing that sounded very fascinating to me was the combination of pumpkin and ground nutmeg. That is why I gave it a try. Now that I have cooked and eaten it I can’t yet say definitely whether I loved it or not so much… Call it eating or taste habit but sometimes with new things – especially when it concerns food – you need time to get whether you like that something new or not. With this pumpkin nutmeg recipe I can say definitely – I will cook it again, and maybe again… I liked how the spices played out – the cayenne pepper with ground nutmeg, and how the soft cream and pumpkin taste winded it all up smoothly….

Well, here is the detailed recipe with pics and instructions of the pumpkin soup and the croutons. This soup can perfectly work as autumn or winter picnic food idea. Hope it will be an interesting cooking experiment for you as well. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Cream Soup with Croutons.

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Picnics are wonderful; in what other venue can you be both relaxed and romantic?  They are the perfect way to spend quality time with your loved ones, and what’s best is it’s an affordable way to enjoy a great meal and the outdoors at the same time!  Find the spot, bring a blanket, your picnic basket filled with assortments of fun, delicious food, and lay back and relax.  For us at EasyFoodandWine, the word “picnic” conjures up bright green parks on a warm sunny summer day.  And how better to enjoy the warmth than with something refreshing, cold, and sparkling?  The following are our top picks for wines that go with both the relaxed atmosphere of the picnic and the easy, light fare you’ve brought to eat.  Picnic fun food and wine pairing .

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