Russian Palace's Vegetable Borscht Recipe

Chef #809940's Note:

From Chef Roza Gorenuk, Russian Palace Restaurant, Chicago, Illinois, for About.com This beet borscht soup recipe with carrots, cabbage, and potatoes has authentic Russian roots. This version comes from the famous Russian Palace Restaurant in Chicago. Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups onions, finely chopped (1 large)
• 5 medium beets
• 1/2 cup carrot, chopped (1 small)
• 5 teaspoons tomato paste
• 16 cups chicken stock
• 2 large potatoes
• 1 medium head of cabbage
• 1 cup green bell pepper, chopped
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/3 cup lemon juice, fresh squeezed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh dill, chopped

Directions:

1. Peel and julienne raw beet to yield 4 cups.
2. Peel and cube potatoes to yield 2-1/2 cups.
3. Finely chop cabbage to yield 6 cups.
4. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Add onion and saute until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes.
6. Add beets and carrot. Saute, stirring constantly, for 10 minutes.
7. Stir in tomato paste. Remove from heat and set aside.
8. In a large stock pot, bring chicken stock to a boil over high heat.
9. Add potato and cook for 3 minutes.
10. Add cabbage and continue boiling for 5 minutes.
11. Add reserved beet-tomato paste mixture, green pepper, sugar, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
12. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
13. Remove from heat. Stir in garlic and dill.
14. Serve hot.

Reviews

[Compassionate Cook00]

This was a fantastic recipe. I added 1/2 and 1/2 at the end instead of sour cream -- delish!

[Starrypalm8]

This turned out great! Made it for a Russian themed party and it was a hit. Will make again for sure! I did add an extra potato and carrot, and left out the green pepper because I forgot to buy it when I was at the store. Still yummy!!

[MA Blossom]

This was fantastic borscht. I made a few changes: added 1 cup diced celery to the onions, used a whole can of tomato paste, used vegetable stock instead of chicken, used half a red cabbage, omitted the bell pepper, and used juice of a whole lemon. M-mmm, delicious! Thanks, Chef #809940 and Chef Roza at The Russian Palace Restaurant, my Polish grandmother would have loved this version.