Beef Shchi (Cabbage Soup)
Description
A hearty first course. I think many will agree with me that having a bowl of cabbage soup in the morning is a real pleasure—it instantly lifts your mood and gives you a surge of energy. Since there are quite a few ways to prepare this delicious soup, I'd like to share my own recipe and show you how to make cabbage soup with beef. If you choose a good piece of meat with a bone, the soup will turn out absolutely amazing—rich, filling, and aromatic, a true delight. In this recipe for cabbage soup with beef, I used only fresh cabbage, as I prefer it that way, but if you like your soup with a slight tang, you can add a bit of sauerkraut as well.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
First, thoroughly rinse the beef and place it in a pot (I usually use frozen meat), cover with water, and set on the stove.
- 2
Step 2
As soon as the water boils, we need to skim off the foam from the surface, reduce the heat, and add a tablespoon of salt to the water. Now simmer the beef for 40–50 minutes, adding a bay leaf to the water 10–15 minutes before the meat is done. If the beef hasn't become tender within this time, continue cooking it further. Once the meat is ready, remove it from the broth, separate the meat from the bone, and cut it into pieces. Strain the broth and return it to the pot together with the meat.
- 3
Step 3
Wash the cabbage and shred it.
- 4
Step 4
Peel the onion and cut into small cubes.
- 5
Step 5
We also cut the tomato into cubes.
- 6
Step 6
Now pour vegetable oil into a frying pan and heat it. Add the onion and fry until golden. Then add the carrot, grated on a coarse grater, and fry for another 3 minutes. After that, add the chopped tomato to the pan, sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes, then turn off the heat.
- 7
Step 7
Place the broth with meat back on the heat, bring to a boil, then add the sliced potatoes and cabbage to the pot. Cook for 8–10 minutes. Then add the sautéed vegetables to the soup, season with spices, add salt if needed, and cook for another 6–8 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the borscht steep for 10–15 minutes.
- 8
Step 8
After that, pour the soup into bowls and serve it at the table with sour cream. Enjoy your meal!