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Traditional Borscht Recipe

BY KRISTEN GARRIDO

Borscht is a hearty, flavorful soup made from beets, popular in Eastern European cuisine. Known for its vibrant color and comforting taste, it’s nutritious and perfect for chilly days.

This guide will take you through each step of preparing traditional borscht, resulting in a delicious homemade soup.

Gathering Ingredients

To make borscht, you’ll need: beets, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, onions, garlic, beef or vegetable broth, tomato paste, vinegar, fresh dill, salt, pepper and sour cream for garnish.

Preparing Vegetables

Begin by peeling and grating the beets and carrots, then dicing the potatoes and onions.

Cooking the Base

In a large pot, add a bit of oil and sauté the grated beets over medium heat for a few minutes.

Cooking the Base

Add 1-2 tbsp of vinegar (to keep the color vibrant) and 1 tbsp of tomato paste, stirring well to coat the beets. Let cook for 5-7 minutes.

Cooking Remaining Vegetables

Add the chopped onions and carrots to the pot with the beets, sautéing until the onions are translucent.

Add Broth and Potatoes

Pour in your choice of broth then add diced potatoes. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender, which should take about 10-15 minutes.

Add Cabbage

Once the potatoes are almost fully cooked, add the chopped cabbage and simmer for another 10 minutes.

Seasoning and Adjusting Flavor

Season the soup with salt, pepper and additional vinegar for a hint of tanginess. Taste and adjust as needed to balance flavors.

Serve and Enjoy

Serve borscht in bowls, adding a dollop of sour cream on top for a creamy contrast. Garnish with extra dill for a bright finish, and serve with crusty bread.

Enjoy your borscht hot, and savor each bite of this traditional, hearty soup.