What I have for you today is a vegetarian twist on a classic Russian soup. Borscht soup is quite popular in Europe, with numerous style variations that highlight this hearty earthy beets. Most dishes incorporate meat, but i wanted to go off the beaten path. This soup contains good for you vegetables, blend of herbs, cumin, mushrooms and fresh apple. It will nourish your mind, body and soul with the wonderful flavors, tastes and high content of nutrients. The best part about this dish is it comes so easily together, plus delicious. You may pair this with a side of Focaccia bread, or quesadilla sandwich. I know if you try it, you will love this soup!

 

You may already know that beets are extremely high in vitamins and minerals. You may not know, one of the first known uses of beets were by the ancient Romans, which they utilized them for medicinal purposes as an aphrodisiac. This simple super food has a wide variety of uses. Beets contains high amounts of boron, which produces healthy sex hormones for proper functioning. It is used as a wonderful tonic for the liver, purifies the blood and prevents various forms of cancer. A great cleansing agent. Can’t beat that, right?! It tastes good and prevents cancer. It also stimulates healthy state of mind, due to betaine, the same substance used in treatment of depression. If you want to know if you have low stomach acid, have some beets. If your pee comes out clear, increase your consumption of this simple super food item. And lastly, beets contain a high amount of sugars that are naturally healthy for you to provide more energy for your body. This item is definitely a wonderful addition to include in your natural diet to increase overall health and wellness.

 

 

SERVES:6

 

INGREDIENTS:

1 onion, chopped

3 cups organically grown beets, peeled and chopped

2 organically grown celery stalks, chopped

1/2 organic red bell pepper, chopped

1 1/2 cups Shiitake mushrooms, chopped

1 organic red apple, cooking apple peeled and chopped

1 tbsp unsalted butter, organic

2 tbsp olive oil, or sunflower oil

4-5 cups stock, or filtered water

1tsp ground cumin

2-3 sprigs fresh tarragon leaves, or dried (tsp)

1 bay leaf, large

1 fresh lemon, juice

1/4 cup orange juice

sea salt, dash

black pepper, dash

FOR GARNISH:

2/3 cup sour cream, or yogurt

few sprigs of fresh dill

 

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

Prepare oven to 400 degrees.

Prepare the beets by scrubbing and washing them under the water. Remove the outer skin with a peeler while wearing protective gloves in preventing staining from the vegetable. Then cut the ends on each of the sides and slice in half and then lengthwise. Place the beets on a cookie dish with parchment. Drizzle olive oil, salt and pepper for seasoning.

When ready, place the beets in the oven for about 30-40 minutes, or until soft and fragrant. Once all set remove from the oven and set aside.

Place the chopped vegetables and apple in a large cooking pot, medium to low heat with butter and/or oil and three tablespoons of broth or water. Cover and cook slowly for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in the cumin; let cook for a minute. Add the remaining stock or water, the herbs, bay leaf, lemon, orange juice, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Bring the soup to a boil. Cover the pan and turn down heat to a low simmer; let cook for about 30 minutes.

Strain the vegetables and reserve the liquid. Process the vegetables either with a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy. The color of the beets are just beautifully fascinating.

Return the vegetable mixture back into the pan. Add the reserved stock and reheat slowly. Check at this point for seasoning.

When heated thoroughly, serve immediately. Place and divide soup into serving bowls and garnish with sour cream, or yogurt and sprigs of dill. Enjoy!

 

 

NUTRITIONAL VALUE: calories 133; total fat 6.9g; cholesterol 5mg; sodium 130mg; potassium 442mg; total carbohydrates 17.2g; dietary fiber 3.4g; sugars 12g; protein 2.4g; vitamin A 9%, calcium 5%; vitamin C 51%; iron 10%. This dish is low in cholesterol, high in dietary fiber, very high in vitamin B6 and vitamin C.

 

 

 

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