Hearty Ham Borscht Food

GERMAN BORSCHT

Steps:

• In a large stock pot boil the ham hocks with water and chicken broth to cover the hocks.
• Boil until the ham hocks fall off the bones
• If the hocks are very greasy, cool the whole pot in the fridge. Skim off the extra fat as it hardens and rises to the top of the soup pot.
• Remove the soup bones if desired.
• Return the pot to the stove and heat it to medium heat.
• Add vegetables except potatoes and cabbage slices. cook on low boil for 30 minutes.
• Put in the potato chunks and boil additional 20 minutes.
• Add the spices and cabbage and boil 30 minutes or until cabbage is fork tender.

HEARTY BORSCHT

Steps:

• 1. Combine all stocks in large soup pot. Add chicken, carrots, celery, and parsnips. Bring to a low simmer until chicken is cooked, skimming the top of the soup to remove "foam" and blood. Chicken is done when juice from chicken runs clear when punctured with a fork. Remove cooked chicken and parsnips, discard.
• 2. While soup base is simmering, wash potatoes and boil with skins on in a separate pot. Potatoes are done when skins begin to crack and is somewhat tender to a fork. Strain and set aside to cool. Once cooled, peel skin (should pull away easily)and cut into 1 inch cubes. Add to soup base after chicken and parsnip have been removed.
• 3. Remove beet stems from beets (set aside) and boil beets until fork tender in another separate pot. Strain and let cool. Once cooled, remove outer layer of beet and slice into "small frech fries". Add to soup.
• 4. Saute chopped onion in small saute pan with 1 tbs. butter until tender, set aside.
• 5. Rinse beet leaves and stems, and chop into 1 inch pieces. In large saute pan, add remaining butter and cook until leaves are wilted and stem is tender.
• 6. Add onion, stem/leaf mixture, sliced garlic, fresh dill and parsley, salt and pepper to taste as well as the white vinegar to taste. Let soup slowly cool on stove to let flavors combine.
• 7. When ready to serve, add a dollop of sour cream and accompany with some rustic, fresh rye bread.

KYERA'S HEARTY BEEF BORSCHT

Steps:

• Place oxtail, onions, carrots, cabbage, celery, barley, onion soup mix, dill, cinnamon, bay leaf, and water in a large slow cooker. Cook on low until meat is tender, about 5 hours.
• Remove meat and bones from slow cooker; cool on a plate until easily handled, about 10 minutes. Cut meat into small pieces; return meat to the soup and discard bones. Skim off any fat from soup; remove bay leaf.
• Stir beets and beet greens into soup; cook on low until beets are tender, about 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper; top each bowl with about 1 tablespoon sour cream to serve.

BORSCHT

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large stock pot over medium heat.
• Add the onion, carrots and bell pepper and sauté until the onion and bell pepper are slightly softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the cabbage, beet and celery and continue to sauté, stirring and tossing occasionally, 10-15 minutes.
• Stir in the apple, potatoes, tomato paste and garlic. Mix well.
• Tie bay leaf and peppercorns in cheesecloth. This is called a bouquet garni. If you don't have cheesecloth, see notes for substitute.
• Add the bouquet garni to the soup pot and bring to a boil.
• Once soup reaches a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
• Add the paprika, salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper , sugar, dill, parsley, and lemon juice to taste. Let stand for about 2 hours.
• Remove the bouquet garni before serving.
• Serve garnished with extra parsley and dill, if desired, and under no circumstances should you EVER leave out the sour cream! A large dollop stirred into each bowl should do nicely.

HEARTY LENTIL BORSCHT

Steps:

• To prepare the cashew cream, combine the cashews, 1/4 cup of water and the lemon juice in a blender or food processor. Blend until you have a smooth paste, adding more water as necessary.
• Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. When hot, add the onion to the pot and fry, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until softened. Next toss in the garlic, cumin seeds and ginger, and stir for 1 minute.
• Now add the carrots, potato, beets, lentils, vegetable stock and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and cover. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the lentils and vegetables are tender - about 30 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes, jalapeños, dill, paprika and cayenne. If using beet tops, add now. Simmer the soup for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the vinegars and sea salt and black pepper to taste.
• Serve hot with a dollop of cashew cream or sour cream.

HEARTY HAM BORSCHT

Steps:

• Place ham bone and water in a Dutch oven or soup kettle; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours. Remove ham bone; allow to cool. , Remove meat from bone and cut into bite-size pieces; discard bone. Return meat to kettle. Add ham, beets, pork and beans, soup, peas, carrots, beans, onion and dill. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Garnish with sour cream if desired.