Best Polish Summer Barshch Borscht Recipes

Polish Summer Barshch (Borscht) image

Provided by Lorac

Categories Vegetable

Time 40m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

5 cups beef broth
1 (1 lb) can beet, chopped,liquid reserved
2 tablespoons instant flour
1/4 cup cold water
2 large dill pickles, diced
1 cup brine, from pickle jar
1 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
1/2 teaspoon sugar
salt
4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

Steps:

Summer Borscht image

Provided by Ina Garten

Time 4h50m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

5 medium fresh beets (about 2 pounds without tops)
Kosher salt
2 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
16 ounces sour cream, plus extra for serving
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons Champagne vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 cups medium-diced English cucumber, seeds removed
1/2 cup chopped scallions, white and green parts
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, plus extra for serving

Steps:

Place the beets in a large pot of boiling salted water and cook uncovered until the beets are tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the beets to a bowl with a slotted spoon and set aside to cool. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine sieve and also set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of the beet cooking liquid, the chicken stock, sour cream, yogurt, sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, 1 tablespoon salt, and the pepper. Peel the cooled beets with a small paring knife or rub the skins off with your hands. Cut the beets in small to medium dice. Add the beets, cucumber, scallions, and dill to the soup. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight. Season, to taste, and serve cold with a dollop of sour cream and an extra sprig of fresh dill.

Barszcz (Classic Polish Borscht) image

Provided by Amelia Nierenberg

Time 3h

Yield 8 cups (6 to 8 appetizer or side servings)

Number Of Ingredients 15

6 medium beets (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled - 3 beets quartered and 3 beets left whole
1 1/2 pounds fresh or frozen beef shank bones, or other veal or beef bones
2 medium carrots, peeled
1 medium parsnip, peeled
1 large white or yellow onion, peeled and quartered
1 large leek, trimmed, halved lengthwise and crosswise, then rinsed
1 large celery stalk, halved crosswise
8 large garlic cloves, peeled
3 large fresh or dried bay leaves
6 dried porcini mushrooms (optional)
2 teaspoons black peppercorns (optional)
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram (optional)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Sour cream, for serving (optional)

Steps:

In a large pot, combine the beets, bones, carrots, parsnip, onion, leek, celery, garlic and bay leaves, plus the mushrooms, peppercorns and marjoram, if using. Top with 14 cups water. (There should be enough water to cover all the ingredients.) Bring to a boil over high.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the vegetables are very tender, 2 to 2 1/2 hours. As it cooks, use a small ladle to periodically skim off and discard any foam, impurities and fat that have risen to the top of the pot.
Transfer the 3 whole beets to a cutting board to cool. Strain the soup through a colander set over a large bowl. Remove the bones and press the solids to extract all the liquids, then strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean medium saucepan.
Once they're cool enough to handle, chop the reserved whole beets into small 1/2-inch cubes. Stir the diced beets into the soup and season with salt and pepper.
Heat soup over medium until warmed, then stir in lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Serve very hot in small bowls or even large teacups, which you can pick up and drink. If desired, serve with a spoonful of sour cream. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days.