RUSSIAN VEGETABLE SOUP (BORSTCH)

Steps:

• Clean beats and grate them on the largest size grater you have.
• Open beans do not drain.
• In a large pot combine beats, and beans.
• Add ~20 cups of water and bring to boil on high heat.
• Add peppercorns.
• Add bay leaf.
• Lower the heat to medium and cook for about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile:.
• Clean potatoes and dice them up in small peaces .5 x .5 inch.
• Clean the carrot, quarter it length-wise and thinly slice each strip.
• Add potatoes and carrot to the soup. Continue cooking on medium heat.
• Peel the onions and finely dice them.
• Sauté onions with about 2 tablespoons of oil until they turn nice golden color.
• Add onions to the soup. Continue cooking on medium heat.
• Very thinly slice cabbage and add it to the soup. Cook for another 30-35 minutes or until all the potatoes beats and cabbage are ready. Make sure that the cabbage is not mushy and overcooked.
• Turn off the heat.
• This step is entirely to the individual taste (you may add any of the ingredients as you see fit):.
• Add lemon juice and Mrs. Dash. Stir well.
• Add sugar and Salt to taste. Instead of sugar I sometimes use Splenda about 3 little bags. The soup should have a hint of sweet and sour flavor.
• If the soup is too thick add more boiling water or stock.
• Optional:.
• I like to add about ½ teaspoon of hot sauce or Tabasco and ½ of tablespoon of ground cumin. This adds a lot of flavor.
• The soup actually tastes even better when reheated the next day.