Navy bean borsch

1 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1cupDry navy beans
poundsLean beef
½poundsSlab bacon
10cupsCold water
1Bay leaf
½cupSour cream
8Whole peppercorns
2clovesGarlic
2tablespoonsDried parsley
1Carrot
1Celery stalk
1largeRed onion
1teaspoonSalt (optional)
8Beets for soup
2smallsBeets
2cupsShredded green cabbage
2largesSliced leeks
3mediumsPotatoes, cut into 1/8's
1can(1 lb 13 oz) tomatos
1tablespoonTomato paste
3tablespoonsRed wine vinegar
4tablespoonsSugar
1poundsKielbasa (optional)
2tablespoonsFlour
1tablespoonMelted butter

Directions

Cover beans with water and allow to soak overnight: cook until tender; drain; set aside. Place beef, bacon & water in large soup pot;bring to a boil. Skim fat from surface. Add bay leaf, peppercorns, garlic, parsley, carrot, celery, onion & salt. Cover & simmer over low heat for about 1½ hours. Scrub beets for soup & cook in boiling water until tender, about 45 minutes; drain and discard water; cool. Peel and cut each beet into eights. Scrub small beets; grate; cover with water to soak. Remove meat from soup; set aside. Strain soup into anothe pot and add cooked beats, cabbage, leeks, potatoes, tomatos, tomnato paste, vinegar, sugar, beef & bacon. Bring to a boil and simmer 45 minutes. Cut kielbasa into chunks and add with navy beans to soup. Simmer 20 minutes more. Mix flour and butter together to form paste. Stir into soup to thicken slightly. Strain raw beets, saving liquid and discarding beets. Add beet liquid to soup.

Additional sugar or vinegar may be added for sweeter or more sour flavor. Slice meat and arrange in individual soup bowls. Pour hot soup with vegetables over meat. Garnish each serving with a dollop of sour cream, if desired.