A SPICY AND SAVORY BORSCHT TO DIE FOR

INSTRUCTIONS

1. 1

   Wash the beef, place it in a pot, cover just with water, and bring to a boil

2. 2

   Reduce to a simmer and cook about 40 minutes if using small pieces, or about 1 hour if using a larger piece, until tender

3. 3

   Remove the beef with a fork, let it cool slightly, then shred or break it into small bite-size pieces

4. 4

   In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil over medium heat

5. 5

   Add the diced onion and cook about 3 minutes, until soft, translucent, and lightly yellowed but not browned

6. 6

   Add the beef broth, carrots, cabbage, celery, bell peppers, jalapeno, beets, potatoes, and red lentils if using

7. 7

   Add a little boiled water only if needed to cover the vegetables, leaving room for the tomatoes

8. 8

   Season with salt and black pepper and simmer 20-25 minutes, until the potatoes are nearly tender

9. 9

   Add the crushed tomatoes and the shredded beef

10. 10

    If the soup is too thick, add a little more boiled water until it reaches the consistency you like

11. 11

    Simmer gently until everything is hot and the vegetables are fully tender

12. 12

    Serve with a spoonful of sour cream on top, if desired

NOTES

The essential ingredients are beets, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes; the rest can be adjusted to taste. This borscht tastes even better the next day, keeps in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, and freezes very well. You can make it vegetarian by leaving out the beef. Beef works best for a rich flavor. Avoid boiling too long or too aggressively after adding the beets, or the soup can lose its bright red-purple color. If you prefer longer cooking, add the beets about 20 minutes before finishing. A useful shortcut is to boil a large batch of beef ahead of time, portion it into small bags, and freeze it for future use. Don't skip red lentils. They make a huge difference in taste and consistency. Avoid adding potatoes to keep it reasonably low-carb. I tend to cut potatoes into larger chunks and avoid eating them while the family enjoys their carbs.