BEET BORSCHT SOUP FROM THE OLD COUNTRY - THIS IS HOW I COOK

Beet Borscht Soup from The Old Country - This Is How I Cook image

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 20

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1 t caraway seeds (optional)
1 lb beets, trimmed, peeled and cut into 1/2″ cubes
1-1/1/2 t kosher salt
4-5 c chicken stock or veggie stock
1/2 lb Yukon gold potatoes-cut into 1/2″ cubes
1 1/2 T butter
1 T olive oil
1 c chopped red onions
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 large carrot, peeled and sliced into 1/2″ thick half moons
2 c chopped green cabbage
1-2 T chopped fresh dill
1-1 1/2 T cider vinegar
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
1 T of honey or to taste
1 1/4 c tomato puree
1 T raisins-optional
Freshly Ground black pepper
Sour Cream or Yogurt
Chopped Fresh Dill

Steps:

If you are using the caraway, toast it in a small skillet over medium heat until lightly colored. Set aside. (I don't like caraway, so I don't use it.)
In a large heavy bottomed pot, combine beets and 1/2 t salt with 4 c of stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until the beets are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the potatoes and continue to simmer until the veggies are fork tender. Using a slotted spoon, transfer veggies to a medium bowl and set aside. Reserve cooking liquid.
In a heavy bottomed soup pot, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the onions, stir to coat with oil and saute one minute. Add the caraway-if using-1/2 t salt and saute until onions are translucent about 5 minutes. Add celery, carrots, and cabbage. Add reserved cooking liquid and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the vegetables are fork tender, 10-15 minutes. Add the reserved potatoes and beets, dill to taste, vinegar to taste, lemon juice, honey, tomato puree and raisins, if using. Season with salt and pepper.
Uncover the pot and simmer slowly for 30-40 minutes. Add more stock if mixture gets too thick. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more vinegar to taste. Serve in bowls, with a big hunk of bread and garnish with sour cream and dill.