Borscht is a soup made primarily with beets and cabbage and is a specialty of Russian and Ukrainian cuisine. It is still a special dish in my family. There are many different ways to prepare borscht, but beets and cabbage are the essential base ingredients.
Most of the time, I make borscht without meat or broth—and believe me, it is still delicious. Sometimes, however, I prepare it with homemade chicken or beef broth for an even richer flavor.
Optional Homemade Stock: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a whole chicken or your choice of beef, such as beef ribs, along with 1 whole onion, 1 peeled carrot, 2 bay leaves, and salt. Reduce the heat and cook for about 1 hour, or until the meat is tender. Strain and use the broth for the borscht, adding the cooked meat back into the soup if desired.
Use the structured ingredient and direction fields below for cooking. The recipe source is Delights of Culinaria.
- Step 1
Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat.
- Step 2
Add the garlic. When it begins to turn light brown, add the chopped onions, shredded carrots, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper.
- Step 3
Saute the vegetables for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4
Add the shredded raw beet and cooked beet and saute for another 4-5 minutes.
- Step 5
Stir in the tomato sauce, bay leaves, and black pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring a few times.
- Step 6
Add the cubed potatoes and pour in the water, chicken broth, or beef broth.
- Step 7
Season with salt, stir, cover, and bring to a boil.
- Step 8
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cook until the potatoes are tender.
- Step 9
Add the sliced cabbage, parsley, and dill. If desired, add half of an uncut bell pepper for extra flavor.
- Step 10
Bring the soup back to a light boil, then remove it from the heat.
- Step 11
If using chicken or beef, tear the cooked meat into small pieces and return it to the pot.
- Step 12
For best flavor, let the borscht rest for a couple of hours before serving. Serve with sour cream, thinly sliced onion or green onion, garlic if desired, and bread.
- Calories:205 kcal10%
- Protein:5 g10%
- Carbohydrates:34 g12%
- Sugar:7 g14%
- Salt:0.9 g15%
- Energy:858 kJ10%
- Fat:6 g9%
