Russian Borscht Recipe

Ingredients

• 8 cups water
• 1 pound beef shanks
• 5 whole peppercorns
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dill weed
• 3 medium uncooked beets, peeled and shredded
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup sour cream

Directions

• Place the first six ingredients in a large soup kettle or Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours or until beef is tender. Meanwhile, in a skillet, saute beets in 1 tablespoon oil for 3 minutes. stir in vinegar; set aside. Remove beef with a slotted spoon; cool. Remove meat from the bones; discard bones. Cut meat into chunks; set aside. strain broth, discarding peppercorns and bay leaves. Skim fat. Add enough water to broth to measure 6 cups; return to kettle. Add potatoes, carrots, cabbage, parsley and beets. Bring to a boil.
• In a skillet, saute onion in remaining oil for 5-7 minutes or until tender. Sprinkle with flour; stir until blended. Whisk into soup. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. add tomatoes. process soup in small batches in a blender or food processor; pour into a large saucepan. Add beef; heat through. Garnish with sour cream. Yield: 8 servings.

Russian Borscht published in Taste of Home October/November 2001, p49