Borscht
Alexander
Solzhenitsyn, a Russian author wrote: "A bowl of thin cabbage soup, half
burned, was as welcome to them as rain to parched earth. They'd swallowed it in
one gulp. That bowl of soup—it was dearer than freedom, dearer than life
itself, past, present, and future." Soup is a favorite in Russia and
Poland. This soup is made with a variety of vegetables and cabbage.
"Borscht" is Slavic for beet. This soup was created in The Ukraine and
adapted in other countries. Beets give this soup its distinctive color and
flavor. Green cabbage is a close relative of broccoli and is
known as a cruciferous vegetable that helps to stimulate our bodies
detoxification system.
1 tablespoon canola oil
3 cups chopped yellow
onion
10 cups water
1 (14 ½-ounce) can
Italian-style tomatoes, undrained
4 cups sliced, then
chopped green cabbage
2 russet potatoes,
peeled and diced
1 large carrot, peeled
and diced
2 stalks celery,
sliced
4 cups peeled and
shredded beets, use gloves
4 teaspoons chicken or
beef base
2 tablespoons apple
cider vinegar
2 teaspoons seasoning
salt
1 teaspoon dried dill
weed
Sour Cream
1.
Heat the oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Fry the onions until
translucent, then add the water, tomatoes,
cabbage,
potatoes, carrot, celery, beets, chicken or beef base,
vinegar, salt,
and dill weed. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1
hour.
4. Serve with sour cream.
Hint: Use a
chopping board you don’t mind staining with
red beet juice or
use a open paper bag and a grater set in a
glass bowl to
prevent staining your wood chopping board or
counter. Wearing
disposable gloves is also advised.
Makes
6 servings