Rye Berry Borscht Recipes

BORSCHT I

Steps:

• Place water, salt, carrots, 1/2 of the bell pepper, celery, beet, tomatoes, and quartered potatoes in a large stock pot over high heat. Bring to a boil.
• Melt 1/3 cup butter in a separate skillet over medium heat. Saute onions in butter until tender, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove 1/2 cup of sauce from skillet, and set aside. Stir half of the cabbage into the skillet with remaining sauce, and continue simmering 5 minutes more, or until tender.
• Remove beet from boiling liquid and discard. Remove potatoes with a slotted spoon or tongs, and place in a bowl with remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and the cream. Mash together until smooth.
• Return the 1/2 cup of reserved onion-tomato sauce to the stock pot. Stir in diced potatoes, and simmer until just tender but still firm, approximately 5 minutes. Increase heat to a low boil, and stir in remaining cabbage, tomato sauce, and mashed potatoes. Reduce heat and simmer a few minutes more. Stir in remaining bell pepper, season with black pepper, and serve.

RYE BERRY BORSCHT

Steps:

• In 5-quart nonstick Dutch oven, soak rye berries in 4 cups water in refrigerator at least 8 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
• Heat rye berries in water to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low. Cover; simmer about 45 minutes or until chewy but tender. Drain.
• In same Dutch oven, heat cooked rye berries, cabbage, beets, celery, potato, carrot, onion, garlic, tomatoes and 4 cups water to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low. Cover; cook 45 minutes.
• Stir in beans, honey, salt, caraway seed and pepper. Cover; cook 30 to 45 minutes until vegetables are tender.