Lenten borscht, a classic recipe

Cookinero 29 January 2023

Lenten borscht, prepared according to the classic recipe, is fragrant and tasty. And also very beautiful - thanks to beetroot juice, which is added at the very end of cooking! In order for the taste of lean borscht according to the classic recipe to be rich and bright, in no case should you neglect its last point: the soup must be brewed on a hot turned off stove so that the “sound” of each ingredient combines with the rest into a single wonderful chord. By the way, such a light, low-calorie soup can be fully recommended not only to fasting people, but also to those who want to lose weight.

How to cook Lenten borscht, a classic recipe

Step 1

Lenten borscht, a classic recipe

Wash beets, carrots, potatoes and onions for lean borscht, peel and cut into thin strips. Peel the top leaves from the cabbage, rinse and chop finely. Scald the tomatoes with boiling water, remove the skin and cut into cubes. Peel and crush the garlic.

Step 2

Boil water in a large saucepan designed for cooking borscht, lightly salt. Put potatoes and cabbage, put on a small fire.

Step 3

Lenten borscht, a classic recipe

Meanwhile, heat vegetable oil in a frying pan, add onions and carrots. Fry, stirring constantly, 5 minutes.

Step 4

Lenten borscht, a classic recipe

Add half of the prepared beets, vinegar and sugar to the pan. Stir, reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Put the remaining beets in a bowl, pour boiling water over, add 1 tsp. vinegar and let it brew. (The resulting beetroot juice will be needed at the end of cooking in order to make the color of the borscht more intense.)

Step 5

Lenten borscht, a classic recipe

Add tomatoes to the pan with vegetables, salt and pepper to taste, cover and simmer for another 20 minutes. Transfer the stewed vegetables to the pot with potatoes and cabbage. Add bay leaf. Increase the heat, bring the lean borscht to a boil, carefully remove the foam with a slotted spoon.

Step 6

Add garlic to lean soup. Cover with a lid and immediately remove from heat. Let stand covered for 10 minutes.

Lenten borscht, a classic recipe - FAQ About Ingredients, Baking Time and Storage

Yes, you can substitute canned beets. Drain them well and add them during step 4 with the other beets. Keep in mind that canned beets may have a slightly different flavor and texture.
Lenten borscht will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days when stored properly in an airtight container. The flavor may even improve slightly after a day or two!
Yes, borscht freezes very well. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop.
Lemon juice can be used as a substitute for vinegar. Use the same amount as the vinegar called for in the recipe. It will add a bright, tangy flavour, very close to that of vinegar.
Absolutely! Cooked beans or lentils (kidney beans, cannellini beans, or brown/green lentils work well) can be added during step 5 along with the stewed vegetables. Start with about 1 cup and adjust to taste.
Traditionally, borscht is served with a dollop of sour cream, but since this is a Lenten version, consider using a vegan sour cream alternative. Fresh dill or parsley adds a nice touch. Rye bread is a classic accompaniment.
Simply halve all of the ingredient quantities to make a smaller batch. The cooking times should remain roughly the same, but check for doneness more frequently.
Yes, parsnips can be a great addition! Use them in roughly the same quantity as you would carrots in this recipe. This will add great flavour.

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