Beetroot Soup Russian Style Food

CLASSIC BORSCHT RECIPE (BEET SOUP)

Steps:

• Peel, grate and/or slice all vegetables (keeping sliced potatoes in cold water to prevent browning until ready to use then drain).
• Heat a large soup pot (5 1/2 Qt or larger) over medium/high heat and add 2 Tbsp olive oil. Add grated beets and sauté 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until beets are softened.
• Add 8 cups broth and 2 cups water. Add sliced potatoes and sliced carrots then cook for 10-15 minutes or until easily pierced with a fork.
• While potatoes are cooking, place a large skillet over medium/high heat and add 2 Tbsp oil. Add chopped onion, celery and bell pepper. Saute stirring occasionally until softened and lightly golden (7-8 minutes). Add 4 Tbsp Ketchup and stir fry 30 seconds then transfer to the soup pot to continue cooking with the potatoes.
• When potatoes and carrots reach desired softness, add 1 can of beans with their juice, 2 bay leaves, 2-3 Tbsp white vinegar, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1 pressed garlic clove, and 3 Tbsp chopped dill. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes and add more salt and vinegar to taste.

BORSH - THE MOST DELICIOUS TRADITIONAL RUSSIAN BEET SOUP

Steps:

• Shed cabbage, dice potato, dice the onion, cut carrots into rounds, and shred the beats*.
• Put cabbage and potato in a pot, add water, chicken broth, and bouillon cubes.
• Heat on high until boiling.
• Meanwhile saute onion, beets, and carrot together for about 5-7 minutes.
• Add diced tomatoes and salt to taste, and cook another 5 minute.
• Then add pan mixture into pot, boil for 15 minutes.
• Turn off heat add minced garlic. Serve with sour cream and fresh dill.
• * Special Note on Beets: Although beets are the most beautiful rich fuchsia on the inside, their juices will stain everything hot pink, including your hands and cutting board. The best way to prep fresh beets for this recipe is to first peel them with a peeler, cut into thin slices, and finally, layer and cut into matchlike sticks.
• * For Vegetarians: simply substitute 3 cups of chicken broth with water, and omit chicken bouillon for a great vegetarian variation.

RUSSIAN BORSCHT SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the beets, carrots, onion and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes. , Add tomatoes and cabbage; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until cabbage is tender. Stir in salt, dill and pepper. Top each serving with sour cream if desired.

NINA'S RUSSIAN COLD BEET SOUP (KHOLDNYK)

Steps:

• Mix the buttermilk, cucumber, beets with their juice, green onions, dill, salt, and vinegar in a bowl; stir to mix thoroughly, and chill, covered, in refrigerator at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor. Serve cold.

BORSHCH GOURMET (RUSSIAN BEETROOT SOUP)

Steps:

• Put the oxtail pieces, hen, fat, half of the carrots, half of the celery, tomato puree, 2 garlic cloves and the halved onion (with peel) in a baking tray and roast in a hot oven until well browned, stirring occasionally (app. 45 min).
• Put everything into a stockpot together with the green part of the leek and the stems of the parsley.
• Cover with water and bring to a boil. Skim. Add thyme, bay leaves and peppercorns.
• Let simmer, covered, for 2 1/2 hours.
• Pick up the oxtail. Remove the meat and set aside. Return the bones to the pot and let simmer for another 1 1/2 hours.
• Strain the stock and remove some of the fat. Discard the hen (or use for something else).
• Cut the rest of the vegetables, except one beetroot, into strips.
• Heat the butter in the cleaned stockpot. Add the rest of the carrot, beetroot, celery, garlic, leek and flour and fry on medium heat for a few minutes.
• Add potato, cabbage and the stock and bring to a boil.
• Let simmer until the vegetables are done (approx. 15 min).
• Add the meat.
• Grate the remaining beetroot finely and mix with the vinegar.
• Chop parsley and dill.
• Add salt, black pepper and a little sugar to taste. If the soup tastes bland, enrich with bouillon cubes.
• Add parsley to the soup and bring to a boil.
• Finally, stir in the grated beetroot and vinegar. The soup will at once take on an intense purple red color. Do not boil the soup from now on.
• Serve hot, sprinkled with dill and a dollop of sour cream in the bowls. Dark sourdough bread and butter on the side.