Russian Soup Recipes

SOLIANKA OR RUSSIAN BEEF SOUP

Steps:

• Soak mushrooms in 3/4 cup water until tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Set aside.
• Melt half the butter and saute the onions, meats, and rehydrated mushrooms. Add the stock and liquid from the mushrooms and bring to a boil. Make a bouquet garni by tying the bay leaves and peppercorns tightly in cheesecloth. Lower the heat and add the bouquet garni, pickles, capers, and marinated mushrooms. Simmer 10-15 minutes.
• Melt remaining butter in a skillet and cook the tomatoes and tomato paste for a few minutes, then add the flour and saute for another few minutes. Add a cup of the soup to the skillet and stir in well, then return pan ingredients to the soup pot.
• Add the olives, dill, marjoram, garlic, pickle juice, and paprika. Adjust soup's seasoning with salt and pepper; simmer another 10-15 minutes.
• Remove pot from heat and remove bouquet garni. Adjust seasonings and serve with sour cream and lemon.

RUSSIAN MUSHROOM SOUP

Steps:

• Break dried mushrooms into small pieces and rinse thoroughly with cold water to remove dirt granules. Cover mushrooms with 8 cups cold water and add salt and garlic. Cover and simmer for 2 hours or more until mushrooms are tender. Add more salt to taste. When soup is done, saute onion in oil and add to soup. Simmer for just a few minutes. Traditionally served Christmas Eve at Holy Supper.

RUSSIAN SOUP

Steps:

• Place sherry and 1/4 cup vegetable broth in saucepan with onions.
• Simmer 5-6 minutes.
• Add beets, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, celery and 1 cup additional broth.
• Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add remaining broth, spices, vinegar, apply juice, raisins and tomato sauce.
• Bring to a boil; lower heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes.
• Garnish with plain yogurt, if desired.

RUSSIAN-STYLE VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• In a large kettle, combine the stew meat, salt, pepper and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour. , In a small saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender; add to kettle. Add the cabbage, carrots, celery, potatoes, tomatoes, beets, parsley and vinegar; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 50-60 minutes or until vegetables are tender. , In a small bowl, combine flour and cream and cream. Gradually stir into soup. Bring to a boil, cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

RUSSIAN BORSCHT SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the beets, carrots, onion and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes. , Add tomatoes and cabbage; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until cabbage is tender. Stir in salt, dill and pepper. Top each serving with sour cream if desired.

BORSH - THE MOST DELICIOUS TRADITIONAL RUSSIAN BEET SOUP

Steps:

• Shed cabbage, dice potato, dice the onion, cut carrots into rounds, and shred the beats*.
• Put cabbage and potato in a pot, add water, chicken broth, and bouillon cubes.
• Heat on high until boiling.
• Meanwhile saute onion, beets, and carrot together for about 5-7 minutes.
• Add diced tomatoes and salt to taste, and cook another 5 minute.
• Then add pan mixture into pot, boil for 15 minutes.
• Turn off heat add minced garlic. Serve with sour cream and fresh dill.
• * Special Note on Beets: Although beets are the most beautiful rich fuchsia on the inside, their juices will stain everything hot pink, including your hands and cutting board. The best way to prep fresh beets for this recipe is to first peel them with a peeler, cut into thin slices, and finally, layer and cut into matchlike sticks.
• * For Vegetarians: simply substitute 3 cups of chicken broth with water, and omit chicken bouillon for a great vegetarian variation.