Borscht

Ingredients for Borscht

• 1450ml water

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 450g beets (about 2 medium beets), peeled and grated

• 1 medium carrot, peeled and grated

• 4 stalks of celery, trimmed and chopped

• 2 Beefsteak or Jersey tomatoes, chopped

• 3 whole allspice berries

• 2 teaspoons dill seeds

• 1 fresh bay leaf

• 2 or 3 sprigs of parsley

• 2 or 3 sprigs of dill

• 1 sprig of thyme

• 1 tablespoon canola oil

• 1 bunch Tuscan kale or chard, thick stems removed, cut into ribbons

• 1 carrot, grated

• 1/4 head of green cabbage, trimmed and thinly sliced

• Diamond Crystal kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Lemon juice, for serving

• Crème fraîche, for serving

Make the beet stock: Combine all the stock ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. When the stock is cool enough to handle, strain it through a fine mesh sieve, pressing down on the mixture to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids and set the stock aside; it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Make the Soup: Pour the oil into a large pot; place it over medium heat and add the kale, carrot, and cabbage. Cook, stirring frequently, until the kale and cabbage are al dente. Pour the reserved stock into the pot and stir. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the borscht hot; finish each bowl with a squeeze of lemon juice and a little crème fraîche.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.