A special family holiday recipe I'd like to share...

[bif]

It's a Polish soup served on Christmas Eve. It's supposed to be vegetarian (So you can receive communion at midnight mass), but I add Kielbasa sometimes. My dad called it Kapushniak, but I'm not sure what it's really called.

I make pea soup the day before. The next morning I add sauerkraut, and reconstituted dried mushrooms (preferably from Poland) and slowly cook it all day. My dad made it when we were growing up but I've takin over the duties for the last dozen years or so. He passed away this year, so making it is a bit of a melancholy experience. Here's to you Pa!

[Lefta Dissenter]

1. It was a lovely gift from him

And a beautiful tradition for you to carry on.

[Manastash]

2. Yum!

Sounds great. Do you have more detailed directions? This is an excellent example of what make our country great the mixing of cultures. I’m excited to make the Kapushniak!

Here’s to your father!

[bif]

4. Details...

I make the pea soup with one pound of dried split peas, a chopped onion and 3 or 4 chopped carrots, and about 2 1/2 quarts of water. Simmer for an hour or so until the peas are soft. Then puree with a hand blender. Rinse and chop a pound of sauerkraut and add to the soup. Add boiling water to about 3/4 cup of dried mushrooms and let steep for about 10 minutes. Save the liquid from the mushrooms. I then rinse the mushrooms, dice them and add to the soup. Using a coffee filter, I filter the mushroom liquid and add it to the soup. Cook the soup as long as you want. I let it go for an hour or so until it thickens the morning I'm going to serve it. Then reheat it right before serving. Let me know how it turns out!

[Siwsan]

3. My mom's side of the family made a similar soup on Christmas Eve

Peas, mushrooms, potatoes, onion and then a roux is mixed in.

My family has high pressured me into making it, this year. I'm totally lacking in holiday nostalgia but caved, and I am about to attempt something that might come close to nearly tasting something like what they expect. Wish me luck.

I'm much better at Roast Beef with Yorkshire pudding and a nice Trifle, for dessert.

[mitch96]

5. My family is from Eastern Europe (Ukraine) and we have someting similar

Not a pea soup base but pork,bacon and sauerkraut base. We also put potatoes in it..
comfort food.
m

[duforsure]

6. Thank You for posting this,

I will have to try it too. Have a blessed Christmas and New Years .

[Alliepoo]

7. Sounds delicious!

I’d like to give this recipe a try! Thanks for sharing. It’s bittersweet to have a tradition like this to follow but your loved one not physically with you. I do the same with dishes that my mom used to prepare. She was a sweet little lady from Kentucky and a great cook. I try my best to recreate her delicious food. I will think of you and your family when I attempt this dish and will share your family story with my family! Spread the love!!

[AwakeAtLast]

8. So glad you have those memories!

I had to laugh while reading your recipe, though, because three things I despise are peas, sauerkraut ( and I'm part German!) and mushrooms.