Borscht Or Beet And Cabbage Soup

	In my opinion, this hearty and healthy borscht soups is one of the best I have ever eaten. This recipe should be doubled as it freezes well. Prep: 30 minutes Cook: 85 minutes Serves: 8	Lor

Ingredients:

6 cups water or 3 cups water and 3 cups homemade vegetable stock
3/4 Tbsp. salt
1 carrot, finely chopped or small dice

1/2 cup bell pepper, finely chopped and divided
1 stalk celery, peeled and chopped
2-3 medium beets
1/2 cup canned diced tomatoes
3 potatoes, quartered
1/3 cup butter
1 onion, chopped
1-1/2 cups canned tomatoes
3 cups finely shredded cabbage, divided
1/4 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup diced potatoes
1 Tbsp. dried dill weed
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper or to taste
salt and freshly ground black pepper are always to taste

Directions:

Place water, salt, carrots, 1/2 of the bell pepper, celery, beets, tomatoes, and quartered potatoes in a large stock pot over high heat. Bring to a boil.
Melt 1/3 cup butter in a separate skillet over medium heat.
Saute onions in butter until tender, approximately 5 minutes.
Stir in tomatoes, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Remove 1/2 cup of sauce from skillet, and set aside.
Stir half of the cabbage into the skillet with remaining sauce, and continue simmering 5 minutes more, or until tender.
Remove beets from boiling liquid.
Allow to cool and either dice or julienne.
Remove potatoes with a slotted spoon or tongs, and place in a bowl with remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and the cream.
You can either mash together until smooth or cube. The original recipe suggests the potatoes should be mashed.
Return the 1/2 cup of reserved onion-tomato sauce to the stock pot. Stir in diced potatoes, and either diced or julienned beets and simmer until just tender but still firm, approximately 5 minutes. Increase heat to a low boil, and stir in remaining cabbage, tomato sauce, and mashed potatoes.
Reduce heat and simmer a few minutes more.
Stir in remaining bell pepper, season with black pepper, and serve.
Note: I add 1 clove of minced garlic to this and I like to place a small spoonful of sour cream on top with a sprinkle of dill.