Golden Beet Elixir: Authentic Polish Barszcz Recipe 🥣✨

Certainly! Let’s dive into the hearty and flavorful world of Beetroot Soup, also known as Barszcz. This traditional Polish dish is a vibrant concoction of earthy beetroots, savory mushrooms, and aromatic onions, simmered together to create a soul-warming elixir perfect for chilly evenings or anytime you crave a comforting bowl of goodness. 🍲

BEETROOT SOUP (Barszcz) Recipe

Overview:

• Preparation Time: 5 minutes
• Cooking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Servings: 8
• Cuisine: Polish, European
• Category: Lunch/Snacks
• Keywords: Vegetable, Polish, European, Weeknight, Stove Top, < 4 Hours, Easy

Ingredients:

• 2 onions
• 1 bouquet garni
• 1 mushroom
• 1 beetroot
• 3 cups beef stock
• 300 ml kwas (a fermented beverage, typically made from bread)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (or adjust to taste)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Ingredients:

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   • Begin by gathering all the necessary ingredients: onions, bouquet garni, mushroom, beetroot, beef stock, kwas, and sugar.

2. Heat Beef Stock:

   • In a large pan or pot, heat the beef stock over medium heat until it comes to a gentle simmer.

3. Add Vegetables:

   • While the beef stock is heating, prepare the vegetables. Peel and chop the onions and beetroot. Add them to the pot along with the bouquet garni and mushroom.

4. Simmer:

   • Allow the soup to come to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for about an hour. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, resulting in a rich and aromatic broth.

5. Strain and Stir:

   • Once the soup has simmered to perfection, remove the bouquet garni and mushroom from the pot. Using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, strain the soup to remove any solids, leaving behind a clear and smooth broth.

6. Incorporate Kwas:

   • Now comes the secret ingredient: kwas! This fermented beverage adds a tangy and complex flavor to the soup. Stir in the kwas until well incorporated, adding depth and character to the dish.

7. Sweeten to Taste:

   • Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed. If desired, add a teaspoon of sugar to balance out the flavors. Remember, the sweetness level can be adjusted according to personal preference.

8. Reheat (if Necessary):

   • If the soup has cooled down slightly during the straining process, gently reheat it over low heat, taking care not to let it come to a boil. This ensures that the flavors remain vibrant and fresh.

9. Serve and Enjoy:

   • Ladle the warm beetroot soup into bowls and garnish with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh herbs, if desired. Serve piping hot alongside crusty bread or hearty rye for a complete and satisfying meal.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 37.1
• Fat Content: 0.7g
  • Saturated Fat Content: 0.3g
• Cholesterol Content: 0mg
• Sodium Content: 844.4mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 4.4g
  • Fiber Content: 0.7g
  • Sugar Content: 2.9g
• Protein Content: 3.8g

Tips:

• For a richer flavor, you can roast the beetroot in the oven before adding it to the soup.
• If you don’t have kwas on hand, you can substitute with a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar for a similar tangy kick.
• Feel free to customize the soup with additional vegetables such as carrots, celery, or potatoes for extra depth and texture.
• This soup tastes even better the next day, so consider making a double batch to enjoy as leftovers.

With its vibrant color, robust flavor, and nourishing ingredients, this Beetroot Soup (Barszcz) is sure to become a favorite in your recipe repertoire. Whether you’re celebrating Polish heritage or simply craving a bowl of comfort, this soul-warming soup is sure to delight your taste buds and warm your heart. 🥣✨