Ukraine hodgepodge with stew

Ingredients

• Canned pork or beef — 500 g
• Smoked meats (any) — 200 g (if available)
• Potatoes — 3
• Carrot — 1
• Onion — 1
• Pickled cucumbers — 2
• Tomato paste — 2 tbsp
• Pitted black olives — 100 g
• Bay leaves — 2
• Water or stock — 1.5 l
• Vegetable oil — 2 tbsp
• Salt, pepper and fresh herbs — to taste
• Sour cream — to serve

Method

1. Heat the oil in a pot and fry the chopped onion until translucent.
2. Add the grated carrot and fry for another 3–4 minutes.
3. Add the tomato paste and the sliced smoked meats, stir and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Dice the potatoes, add them to the pot, pour in the water or stock and bring to the boil.
5. Add the canned meat with its juices and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.
6. Slice the pickled cucumbers and olives and add them to the pot. Add the bay leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Cook for another 10 minutes, then remove from the heat and let it rest for 10–15 minutes.