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Ingredients

2 tablespoons canola oil
1 pound lamb stew meat, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
3 1/2 quarts beef broth
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/4 pounds cabbage, cored and shredded
1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes, diced
2 pounds beets, peeled and diced (tops reserved)
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pint sour cream
1/4 cup chopped dill

Directions

Heat canola oil over medium-high heat in a large stockpot until very hot. Add the cubed lamb, and sear until well browned. Stir in the onion, and cook until tender and translucent, about 2 minutes.

Pour in the beef broth, vinegar, and lemon juice; add the cabbage, tomatoes, diced beets, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the lamb and beets are tender, about 2 hours.

Chop the beet tops, stir into the borscht, and simmer an additional 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish the soup bowls with a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkling of dill after ladling in the soup.

Ingredients

2 pounds lean ground beef
2/3 cup uncooked white rice
1/2 cup milk
1 beaten egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil

1 (14 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1/2 cup red wine
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 bay leaves
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (16 ounce) package frozen pepper and onion stir fry vegetable blend

Directions

Thoroughly combine ground beef, rice, milk, egg, garlic, basil, and salt in a bowl. Form the mixture into about 16 1-1/2 inch meatballs.

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, and brown the meatballs well on all sides, about 15 minutes.

Place the spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, red wine, basil, cayenne pepper, bay leaves, and 3 minced garlic cloves in slow cooker, and stir to combine. Put the meatballs into the slow cooker, and stir gently to cover with sauce. Shake the frozen vegetables over the sauce, without stirring, and cook on Low, covered, for 6 to 8 hours, until the meatballs are tender and the vegetables are cooked.

About an hour before serving, gently stir the sauce, being careful not to break the meatballs, and remove the bay leaves. Cook for 1 more hour to blend the flavors and thicken the sauce.

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package medium seashell pasta
6 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
3/4 cup minced green onions
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 pound medium shrimp – peeled and deveined
1 pound bay scallops
1 pound crabmeat
2 cups dry white wine
6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil, add pasta shells, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Saute mushrooms, green onions, and garlic until tender. Stir in shrimp, scallops, and crabmeat. Cook for 5 minutes, or until shrimp is pink. Stir in wine, lemon juice, and butter; cook until heated through.

Toss pasta with seafood sauce and parsley.

Ingredients

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 red onion, thinly sliced
5 large red potatoes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

In a small bowl, combine olive oil, wine vinegar, oregano, parsley, and onion. Mix and set aside.

Add potatoes to a large pot of boiling, lightly salted water. Boil for about 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Drain water and let cool.

When cooled, peel and dice. Place in a large bowl, add dressing and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss to coat, cover bowl and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.