GastronomicGallivant: Russian "All-Veg" Borscht

Ever since I saw the movie Eastern Promises, I have been making Borscht(Soup) frequently. I have to say that Beet is not my most favorite vegetable.I like it, don't love it but I eat it anyway for all the health benefits it brings.I prefer the pureed version better than the chunkier version.

Ingredients:

• Beet - 1, large, peeled and diced
• Potato - 1, medium, cleaned and diced (I used Purple potato)
• Carrot - 1, medium, peeled and sliced
• Red Onion - 1, small, halved and then quartered
• Red Cabbage - 1/2 cup, shredded
• Bay Leaf - 1
• Vegetable Stock - 3 cups (Water may be used as well)
• Garlic pods - 2 medium
• Red Wine vinegar -  1 tbsp
• Olive Oil - 1 tbsp
• Sour Cream - For Garnish
• Salt and Cracked Pepper - for taste

Procedure:

• In a stock pot, add the vegetable stock/water, bay leaf, garlic pods, onions, diced potatoes, beets,sliced carrots and shredded cabbage.
• Bring it to roiling boil with closed lid until the vegetables are tender for about 20 minutes.
• Sprinkle salt and pepper.
• Discard the bay leaf and puree with an immersion blender.
• Add the vinegar.Enjoy it warm or cold.
• Garnish with Sour Cream before serving.

Makes 3 medium servings

Enjoy!