**Borscht: A Vibrant Symphony of Flavors from Eastern Europe**
Borscht, a culinary masterpiece originating from Eastern Europe, particularly Ukraine, is a vibrant and hearty soup that has captured the hearts of food lovers worldwide. This beetroot-based soup is a symphony of flavors, textures, and colors, offering a delightful balance of sweet, sour, and earthy notes. Its variations span across different regions, each boasting unique ingredients and cooking techniques that add to its rich culinary heritage. From the classic Ukrainian borscht, brimming with tender beets, cabbage, and an array of vegetables, to the rich and creamy Polish version featuring dumplings and sour cream, borscht's versatility knows no bounds. Whether served hot or cold, as a main course or a side dish, this soup promises a comforting and satisfying experience. Dive into our curated collection of borscht recipes, each offering a distinct taste of this beloved Eastern European delicacy. From the traditional Ukrainian recipe to the contemporary vegetarian version, these recipes cater to a range of preferences and dietary needs, ensuring that everyone can savor the delightful flavors of borscht.
CLASSIC BORSCHT RECIPE (BEET SOUP)
Our family's go-to recipe for Borscht (Red Beet Soup). It's best to have all of the ingredients prepped and ready to go which makes this soon super easy and care free. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or real mayo.
Provided by Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Categories Medium
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 16
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.
BORSCHT
Though often associated with Russian cuisine, this red beet soup is originally from Ukraine. Recipes vary from region to region and family to family, but in addition to beets, potatoes, cabbage, carrots and onion are standard. A dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of dill add extra flavor and visual appeal.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 1h20m
Yield 4 to 6 main course servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, cover the beets with cold water by l inch. Stir in 1/4 cup of the vinegar and 2 tablespoons salt. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, covered, until very tender, about 30 minutes. Drain, cool, and peel the beets. Dice the beets and set aside.
- Heat the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the celery, leeks, garlic, and caraway seeds and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 8 minutes. Add the cabbage and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 3 minutes.
- Tie the parsley sprigs, thyme, and bay leaf together with a piece of kitchen twine and add to the pot with the beets, tomatoes, and broth. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes to bring the flavors together.
- Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons vinegar and the remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Season with pepper to taste. To serve divide among warm soup bowls, top with dollops of the sour cream and sprinkle with the dill. Serve with additional vinegar at the table.
BORSCHT
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 1h40m
Yield 4 servings (about 1 1/4 cups per serving)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
- Put the vegetables and garlic on a large piece of heavy duty aluminum foil (or a doubled piece of regular), drizzle with olive oil, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt add the rosemary. Seal the foil to make a tight package. Put the package in a roasting pan. Roast until the beets can be pierced easily with a knife, about 1 to 1/2 hours. When the beets are cool enough to handle, peel them¿the skins should slide right off with a bit of pressure from your fingers. If they don't, use a paring knife to scrape off any bits that stick.
- Put 1/2 of the vegetables in a food processor with 1/2 of the broth and puree. Transfer the puree to a saucepan. Repeat with the remaining vegetables and broth. Stir in remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and season with pepper, and simmer over medium heat until the flavors come together, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the buttermilk and Worcestershire.
- Ladle Borscht into bowls and garnish with dill.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 128 calorie, Fat 5 grams, SaturatedFat 1 grams, Carbohydrate 19 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 6 grams
WINTER BORSCHT
Provided by Barbara Kafka
Categories dinner, weekday, project, soups and stews, appetizer, main course
Time 3h45m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, cover the beef with 6 cups water. Stir in the onion and quartered carrot. Bring to a boil. Skim off any foam and fat that rises to the surface. Lower the heat, and simmer gently for 1 hour 30 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, and measure the liquid; there should be about 4 1/2 cups. Reserve the liquid and the meat.
- Return the beef and strained liquid to the pan. Bring to a boil. Add the beets, and return to a boil. Lower the heat, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the tip of a knife easily pierces the beets. Remove the beets, and allow to cool slightly. Peel them, and grate coarsely. Return the grated beets to the soup.
- Dissolve the tomato paste in 1/2 cup of the soup, and stir back into the pot. Stir in the garlic, grated carrot, cabbage, tomatoes, bay leaf, vinegar and sugar. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Remove the meat, and discard the bones. Slice the meat 1/2-inch thick, and stir into the soup, along with the cubed potatoes, salt, pepper and the 1/3 cup dill. Return to a boil for 2 minutes.
- If desired, place a half potato in the bottom of each large bowl. Ladle in the soup. Top with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of dill.
RUSSIAN BORSCHT
I immigrated to the United States from western Russia in 1998. When I made friends, I found that many people had heard of Borscht, a traditional soup made with fresh beets, but few knew how to cook it. So I prepared this recipe from my grandmother, and everyone seemed to like it.-Svetlana Chriscaden, Falconer, New York
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 2h25m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Place the first six ingredients in a large soup kettle or Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours or until beef is tender. Meanwhile, in a skillet, saute beets in 1 tablespoon oil for 3 minutes. stir in vinegar; set aside. Remove beef with a slotted spoon; cool. Remove meat from the bones; discard bones. Cut meat into chunks; set aside. strain broth, discarding peppercorns and bay leaves. Skim fat. Add enough water to broth to measure 6 cups; return to kettle. Add potatoes, carrots, cabbage, parsley and beets. Bring to a boil., In a skillet, saute onion in remaining oil for 5-7 minutes or until tender. Sprinkle with flour; stir until blended. Whisk into soup. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. add tomatoes. process soup in small batches in a blender or food processor; pour into a large saucepan. Add beef; heat through. Garnish with sour cream.
Nutrition Facts :
BORSCHT II
Borscht is like chili; there's no one recipe for it. This recipe is somewhat unusual because it does not have cabbage; the addition of lime juice and sugar may also not be traditional. My mother did get it from a Russian coworker. It is the borscht I grew up with and I love it.
Provided by E and C
Categories Vegetable
Time 1h
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Combine the first five ingredients in a large non-reactive pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and allow the soup to simmer for 2= hours.
- Half an hour before serving, remove beets, keeping the broth at a simmer.
- When beets are cool enough to handle, peel and grate them (the peels should slip right off). Then return them to the pot. Stir in lime juice and sugar, then season with salt and pepper.
- Serve, garnished with a dollop of sour cream and/or some snipped chives.
Tips:
- When choosing beets, select firm, smooth beets with deep red color.
- To maintain the vibrant color of the beets, add a little lemon juice or vinegar to the cooking water.
- If you are using canned beets, rinse them well before using.
- Shred the cabbage thinly to ensure it cooks evenly.
- Use a variety of vegetables to add flavor and texture to the borscht. Some popular options include carrots, potatoes, and onions.
- For a richer flavor, use beef or chicken broth instead of water.
- Season the borscht to taste with salt, pepper, and other spices.
- Serve the borscht hot with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh dill.
Conclusion:
Borscht is a delicious and hearty soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is also a very versatile dish that can be adapted to your own taste preferences. Whether you like it vegetarian or with meat, with cabbage or without, there is a borscht recipe out there for everyone. So next time you are looking for a comforting and flavorful soup, give borscht a try. You won't be disappointed!
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