A Christmas Eve Tradition Slovak Mushroom Soup

Grandma’s Traditional Holiday Soup Updated for Contemporary Cooking

Nov 21, 2008 Barbara Shema

Remembering the "old country" in this contemporary update is a way to retain ethnic family traditions and introduce an Eastern European food to a new American generation.

Slovaks fleeing “magyarization” at the beginning of the 20th century (the assimilation into the Hungarian culture that prohibited Slovak language and customs) emigrated across the Atlantic Ocean on ships headed for America with many settling in northeastern United States.

Many Slovak Immigrants Settled in Pennsylvania & Ohio

A large number of Slovak immigrants who settled in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio became farmers, miners or laborers in the factories. With them came hearty traditional soups, stews, dumplings and potato pancakes. One dish that was a traditional Christmas Eve staple is creamed mushroom soup with sausage, potatoes & green beans. For many Slovak-American households, this soup was a main course.

Recipe for Grandma's Christmas Eve Mushroom Soup

The following is an updated version of a traditional Slovak Christmas Eve Soup brought to America from Poltar, Slovakia (then Hungary) in 1911 by a young woman named Juliana who made it for her family every Christmas Eve for many years.

Ingredients

• 2 C potatoes cubed
• 1 C green beans halved
• 1 lb smoked kielbasi cut into 2” pieces
• 2 cans Progresso Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1 box low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 T olive oil (bacon grease would be more traditional)
• 3 cloves garlic chopped
• 1 t thyme
• 1T parsley
• Salt & pepper to taste

Directions

1. In large pot, lightly sauté kielbasi pieces and chopped garlic in olive oil (be careful not to burn)
2. Add vegetable soup broth
3. Add cubed potatoes
4. Cook until potatoes are tender
5. Add thyme, parsley, salt & pepper
6. Add green beans
7. Simmer on low heat for 5 min
8. Add Cream of Mushroom soup *
9. Simmer on low heat an additional 5-10 min being careful not to burn
10. Serve in warmed soup bowls with hearty multi-grain bread.

*Additional sliced Portobello mushrooms may be added with the Cream of Mushroom soup.

Ethnic Soups & Stews

This hearty soup is a perfect way to begin a holiday meal or serve on any cold wintery day. Many cultures have soup or stew as part of their mainstay. Soups and stews can make a meal for a family with whatever meat, poultry, fish and vegetables are available. It is warm and satisfying and brings the family together around the table with a piping hot serving bowl.

Keep Traditions Alive with Food & Remembrance

Keep traditions alive this holiday season by remembering those who brought the traditions with them so many years ago. Light candles on the table in honor of great-great grandma and grandpa who came to America in the steerage of ships destined for Ellis Island with $50 in their pocket and the name and address of a family member.

In addition to this traditional soup, start off the evening with some quick and easy-to-make appetizers.

The copyright of the article A Christmas Eve Tradition Slovak Mushroom Soup in Seasonal Cooking is owned by Barbara Shema. Permission to republish A Christmas Eve Tradition Slovak Mushroom Soup in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Preparing Christmas Eve Soup

Making Soup in Grandma's Kitchen