Ingredients
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22 cups water
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28 fluid ounces canned tomatoes, including liquid, mashed and divided
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6 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
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2 medium onions, chopped small
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1 tablespoon salt
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2 medium red beets, scrubbed and cut in half
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4 tablespoons butter
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1/2 cup whipping cream
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6 tablespoons butter, divided
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2 medium onions, chopped small
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8 cups thinly shredded green cabbage
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3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubes 1/2-inch
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2 cups cauliflower florets
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3 large celery ribs, chopped small
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1 large green pepper, seeded and diced
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1 large sweet red pepper, seeded and diced
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1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
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4 tablespoons dried dill weed or 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh dill
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3 medium carrots, chopped small
Instructions
- In a large (8 quart) stock pot, add water and bring to boil.
- Add 1/2 cup of mashed tomatoes, quartered potatoes, chopped carrots, chopped onions, salt and beets and return to boil.
- Reduce heat to medium and cook uncovered for 15 minutes or until potatoes are just cooked.
- Meanwhile, begin to prepare all vegetables.
- When potatoes are cooked, remove with a slotted spoon into a mixing bowl.
- Add 3 tablespoons butter to potatoes, mash well.
- Stir in whipping cream, mixing well to incorporate; set aside.
- In a large frying pan, melt 3 tablespoons butter, add chopped onions and saute' until just softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add remaining mashed tomatoes and simmer uncovered until reduced to a creamy consistency.
- The sauce will be thickened.
- Cover, reduce heat to keep warm.
- In another large frying pan, melt the remainder 3 tablespoons butter, add 4 cups of shredded cabbage and on medium heat, fry until softened and very lightly browned, about 15 minutes, DO NOT BURN.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
- To the cooking pot, add cubed potatoes and 1/2 cup of tomato-onion mixture.
- Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add cauliflower and celery and continue to boil gently until potatoes are just tender.
- Stir in remaining 4 cups of raw shredded cabbage and return soup to boil.
- Reduce heat; stir in mashed potatoes, fried cabbage and remaining tomato-onion mixture.
- Add diced green and red peppers, freshly ground black pepper, dill weed, lemon juice.
- Return to boil and cook for 3 more minutes.
- Cover and reduce heat to just warm and let borscht sit for 30 minutes for flavors to blend.
- Remove beets and discard or eat them separately.
- The beets are for coloring only.
- Adjust seasonings to taste.
- If borscht is too sweet to your liking, stir in some additional lemon juice.
- If desired, serve with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.
- Refrigerate any unused portions.
- Traditionally, medium or sharp cheddar cheese pieces and fresh bread or buns are served with the borscht.