Hearty russian beet soup

 
                          HEARTY RUSSIAN BEET SOUP
 
 Recipe By     : 
 Serving Size  : 8    Preparation Time :0:00
 Categories    : Soups
 
   Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
 --------  ------------  --------------------------------
    1       c            Navy beans, dry
    2 1/2   lb           Lean beef
      1/2   lb           Slab bacon
   10       c            Cold water
    1                    Bay leaf
    8                    Whole peppercorns
    2                    Cloves garlic
    2       tb           Dried parsley
    1                    Carrot
    1                    Celery stalk
    1                    Large red onion
    1       t            Salt (opt)
    8                    Beets for soup
    2                    Small beets
    2       c            Green cabbage, shredded
    2                    Large leeks, sliced
    3                    Medium potatoes, cut
                         Into eighths
    1       cn           (1 lb 13 oz) tomatoes
    1       tb           Tomato paste
    3       tb           Red wine vinegar
    4       tb           Sugar
    1       lb           Kielbasa (opt)
    2       tb           Flour
    1       tb           Butter, melted
      1/2   c            Sour cream (opt)
 
   Cover beans with water and allow to soak overnight;
   cook until tender; drain; set aside.  Place beef,
   bacon and water in large soup pot; bring to a boil.
   Skim fat from surface. Add bay leaf, peppercorns,
   garlic, parsley, carrot, celery, onion and salt.
   Cover and simmer over low heat for about 1 1/2 hours.
   
   Scrub beets for soup and cook in boiling water until
   tender, about 45 minutes; drain and discard water;
   cool.  Peel and cut each beet into eighths.  Scrub
   small beets; grate; cover with water to soak.
   
   Remove meat from soup; set aside.  Strain soup into
   another pot and add cooked beets, cabbage, leeks,
   potatoes, tomatoes, tomato paste, vinegar, sugar, beef
   and 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.
  
 
 
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