Borsch, also known as borscht, is a vibrant and hearty soup that originated in Ukraine, a country with a rich culinary history. This versatile dish has become a staple in many Eastern European cuisines, with variations found across the region. Our collection of borsch recipes offers a diverse selection of this classic soup, each with its unique flavors and ingredients.
From the traditional Ukrainian borsch, featuring a flavorful broth made from beets, cabbage, and various vegetables, to the more modern interpretations that incorporate additional ingredients like mushrooms, beans, or dumplings, our recipes cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Whether you prefer a vegetarian version or one that includes meat, our collection has something for everyone.
Explore the delightful variations of borsch, such as the Polish barszcz czerwony, known for its deep red color and the addition of horseradish, or the Lithuanian šaltibarsščiai, a refreshing cold beet soup perfect for warm weather. Each recipe provides detailed instructions and helpful tips to ensure a delicious and authentic borsch experience.
So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and embark on a culinary journey to savor the vibrant flavors of borsch, a dish that embodies the warmth, comfort, and traditions of Eastern European cuisine.
KALEENKA BORSHCH (BORSCH/BORSCHT)
One of my favorite restaurants in Seattle was Kaleenka's on First Avenue. I loved their borshch and piroshky, and I always felt warm and comfortable in the restaurant. Kaleenka's has unfortunately closed, but I did find their recipe for borshch in "Dining Ethnic Around Puget Sound" which was published in 1993. This is an excellent borshch, well worth making! Kaleenka featured good Russian hearty fare, traditional cooking from the Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Georgia. The name "Kaleenka" was derived from a ubiquitous shrub that grows all across Russia, which is revered since ancient times as a symbol of the land and culture. According to Kaleenka's... there are many variations of the soup called "borshch," and this one is a vegetarian recipe. What's the secret of a good borshch? Brown the vegetables separately. How do you pronounce "borshch?" Like the "sh ch" in "fresh cheese." In Russian it is indicated by a single letter.
Provided by Julesong
Categories Vegetable
Time 40m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a large skillet, brown the onions, beets, carrots, and potato separately in oil, stirring occasionally, about 10 to 12 minutes.
- In a large pot, bring water to boil.
- When water is boiling, add the cabbage, green pepper, and celery; the vegetables will cool the water, so bring it back to boil.
- Then add the browned vegetables from the skillet, salt, and pepper; simmer until the vegetables are soft but not mushy, about 20 minutes, then add the tomato juice.
- Serve hot, topped with a generous dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of dill.
- If you put the borshch in a crockpot and bring along the garnish, it goes over well at potlucks, too!
UKRAINIAN MEATLESS BORSCH (BORSCHT)
Make and share this Ukrainian Meatless Borsch (Borscht) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Olha7397
Categories Vegetable
Time 1h30m
Yield 1 pot, 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Pour hot water over the mushrooms, drain, and wash.
- Cover with lukewarm water and soak for 30 minutes or longer.
- The period of soaking will depend on the variety of mushrooms used.
- The boletus variety (white hryby) requires little or no soaking.
- Cook the mushrooms in the same water in which they were soaked until they are tender.
- Cook the onion in the oil until slightly wilted.
- Add the beets, parsley, peppercorns, and water.
- Cover and cook until the beets are barely done.
- Add the carrot, potato, and celery, and continue cooking for about 15 minutes.
- At this stage put in the cabbage, and cook until it is tender but not overcooked.
- The cabbage should retain some crispness.
- Add the remaining ingredients.
- Use the beet kvas or lemon juice with discretion.
- The borsch should be mildly tart but not sour.
- Season to taste.
- Finally add the cooked, chopped, or whole mushrooms along with the mushroom stock.
- Bring to a boil.
- Serve.
- BEET KVAS Wash and pare 10 to 12 medium beets, then cut into eighths.
- Put into a stone crock or any earthenware container and cover with boiled water, cooled to lukewarm.
- To hasten fermentation, place a slice of sour rye bread among the beets.
- Cover and keep at room temperature for a few days.
- When the liquid is sour, pour it off the beets into the sealers; cover, and keep in the refrigerator.
- The kvas is added to borsch in the final stage of cooking.
- Pour a small quantity of kvas into the borsch and bring to a boil.
- Overboiling fades the color of kvas.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 110.8, Fat 5.3, SaturatedFat 0.7, Sodium 72.2, Carbohydrate 14.4, Fiber 2.8, Sugar 3.9, Protein 2.7
KALEENKA PIROSHKY
One of my favorite restaurants in Seattle was Kaleenka's on First Avenue. I loved their borshch and piroshky, and I always felt warm and comfortable in the restaurant. Kaleenka's has unfortunately closed, but I did find their recipe for piroshky in "Dining Ethnic Around Puget Sound" which was published in 1993. Kaleenka featured good Russian hearty fare, traditional cooking from the Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Georgia. The name "Kaleenka" was derived from a ubiquitous shrub that grows all across Russia, which is revered since ancient times as a symbol of the land and culture. The Kaleenka notes that "piroshky" is derived from a Russian word pronounced "peer," which means "feast." Many different fillings are common, including chicken, fish, and fruits, but this beef and cheese filling is the favorite. Prep includes time for the rising of the dough.
Provided by Julesong
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 1h50m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a skillet, brown the onion in oil, about 7 minutes; remove and set aside.
- Brown the ground beef in the skillet, drain the grease, then add in the cooked onion, garlic, salt, and pepper; set aside.
- (The original recipe had you then chill the mixture to 40 degrees and"pick out solid fat," but that's a step I forgo).
- In a small ceramic or glass bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water and let stand for 11 minutes.
- In a large bowl or using a large stand mixer, place 4 cups of the flour, sugar, salt, egg, the remaining oil, water/yeast mixture, and the milk; mix together (use a dough hook attachment if you have one), adding additional flour as needed to make the dough soft but not sticky.
- Knead, either for about 10 minutes by turning out onto a floured board and doing it by hand or by using a dough hook in a mixer on slow speed for about 6 to 7 minutes.
- Place in a large bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour; punch down.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- To fill the piroshky, pinch off a piece of dough about the size of an egg and roll it out to 1/8-inch thick, then place a cube of cube of cheese and 2 tablespoons of meat filling in the center.
- Lift up the edges of the dough and bring it up to the top, pinching together tightly to completely enclose the filling and so that the dough knits together.
- Place the piroshky on a microwave-safe dish or tray, seam-side down, and microwave for 10 seconds; set aside and let rise for 10 minutes.
- Repeat the piroshky construction, microwaving, and rising with remaining ingredients.
- Place risen piroshky (all of them) on a non-stick baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F until golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes depending on your oven; alternately, you can deep fry them at 300 degrees F until golden.
- Note: you might also be able to run the dough ingredients through the initial preparation steps in your bread machine, to make it especially easy!
PIROSHKY (PIROSHKI)
Make and share this Piroshky (Piroshki) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by WildLightning
Categories Meat
Time 2h30m
Yield 14-16 Piroshkis
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Dissolve yeast in water and let stand 10 minutes. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. Make a well in flour and add milk, egg, oil and yeast. Combine to make a soft dough. Knead about 10 minutes. Let rise one half hour to one hour.
- Brown chopped onion and garlic. In separate pan, brown ground beef. Season with salt, pepper, garlic and onion. Cool meat mixture and remove solidified fat.
- Pinch a golf-ball sized piece of dough, flatten with fingers or roll out to 1/8" thickness. Place 2 Tbsp filling in center and bring opposite edges of circle together. Pinch securely. (The traditional shape is a plump center with tapering ends.).
- Let piroshkis rise seam side down, 30 minutes. Heat oven to 350. Brush with egg and bake until golden brown (approx 20 min, it depends on the size). The piroshky may also be deep fried.
- Ed. Note: I also like to add about 1 cup cheese sauce powder (sometimes found in bulk food stores) to the meat mix. I find it gives a slightly cheesy taste. If I do that, I omit the salt.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 354.7, Fat 15.4, SaturatedFat 5.1, Cholesterol 61, Sodium 228.4, Carbohydrate 34.8, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 2.2, Protein 17.9
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your borscht.
- Don't overcook the vegetables. They should be tender but still retain their shape.
- Use a variety of vegetables. This will give your borscht a more complex flavor.
- Add some acidity to the borscht. This can be done with vinegar, lemon juice, or sour cream.
- Serve the borscht hot or cold. It is delicious either way.
Conclusion:
Borscht is a delicious, hearty, and nutritious soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is also a very versatile soup, so you can easily customize it to your own taste. Whether you like your borscht with meat, vegetables, or both, there is a recipe out there for you. So next time you are looking for a comforting and satisfying soup, give borscht a try.
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