VEGETARIAN RED BORSCHT

Vegetarian Red Borscht image

A traditional vegetable soup made for centuries throughout Eastern Europe and well loved in Russia and Poland, borscht has origins in present-day Ukraine. There are white versions, made with potatoes and cabbage, and green versions, made with sorrel and spinach. Most familiar, though, is the red version, made with beets. Many recipes add simmered beef, lamb or pork, but here, the meat is skipped for a quick-cooking vegetarian red borscht.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories dinner, lunch, soups and stews, vegetables, main course

Time 1h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or unsalted butter
1 large onion, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 cup diced celery
1 large leek, diced (about 1 cup)
Salt and pepper
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
1 bay leaf
1 thyme sprig
1 pound Yukon Gold or other starchy potatoes (about 6 potatoes), peeled and cut in 1-inch chunks
1 pound medium beets (about 6 beets), peeled and cut in 1-inch chunks
1/2 pound medium carrots (about 4 carrots), peeled and cut in 1-inch chunks
3 cups chopped kale
1 tablespoon apple-cider vinegar, or to taste
2 tablespoons grated fresh horseradish
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pinch of granulated sugar
1 cup crème fraîche or thick sour cream
Dill, parsley, tarragon and chives, for garnish

Steps:

Put olive oil in a heavy-bottomed soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
When oil is hot, add onion, celery and leek, stir to coat, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring, until onion has softened and just begun to brown. Add garlic, tomato paste, paprika, caraway, bay leaf and thyme, and cook for 1 minute, stirring.
Add potatoes, beets and carrots, 6 cups water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, or to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a brisk simmer. Simmer with lid ajar for 20 minutes, or until potatoes, beets and carrots are fork tender.
Add kale and vinegar, and stir to distribute. Taste broth and adjust seasoning. Simmer until kale is done, about 8 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the horseradish cream: Put horseradish, lemon juice, salt and sugar in a small bowl. Let macerate 5 minutes, then stir in crème fraîche.
To serve, ladle into soup bowls, and garnish with chopped dill, parsley, tarragon and chives. Pass the horseradish cream at the table.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 290, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 47 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 7 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 898 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams