BARSZCZ (CLASSIC POLISH BORSCHT)

Barszcz (Classic Polish Borscht) image

Provided by Amelia Nierenberg

Time 3h

Yield 8 cups (6 to 8 appetizer or side servings)

Number Of Ingredients 15

6 medium beets (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled - 3 beets quartered and 3 beets left whole
1 1/2 pounds fresh or frozen beef shank bones, or other veal or beef bones
2 medium carrots, peeled
1 medium parsnip, peeled
1 large white or yellow onion, peeled and quartered
1 large leek, trimmed, halved lengthwise and crosswise, then rinsed
1 large celery stalk, halved crosswise
8 large garlic cloves, peeled
3 large fresh or dried bay leaves
6 dried porcini mushrooms (optional)
2 teaspoons black peppercorns (optional)
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram (optional)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Sour cream, for serving (optional)

Steps:

In a large pot, combine the beets, bones, carrots, parsnip, onion, leek, celery, garlic and bay leaves, plus the mushrooms, peppercorns and marjoram, if using. Top with 14 cups water. (There should be enough water to cover all the ingredients.) Bring to a boil over high.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the vegetables are very tender, 2 to 2 1/2 hours. As it cooks, use a small ladle to periodically skim off and discard any foam, impurities and fat that have risen to the top of the pot.
Transfer the 3 whole beets to a cutting board to cool. Strain the soup through a colander set over a large bowl. Remove the bones and press the solids to extract all the liquids, then strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean medium saucepan.
Once they're cool enough to handle, chop the reserved whole beets into small 1/2-inch cubes. Stir the diced beets into the soup and season with salt and pepper.
Heat soup over medium until warmed, then stir in lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Serve very hot in small bowls or even large teacups, which you can pick up and drink. If desired, serve with a spoonful of sour cream. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days.