Borscht Beet Soup

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:

7 cups Beef Bouillon or Consomme
3 Red Cabbage Leaves; Cut into Small Pieces
1 Medium Onion; Coarsely Chopped
6 Peppercorns
4 Medium Beets
1/2 cup Carrots; Cut into Julienne Strips
2 Tbs. Butter
1/2 tsp. Granulated Sugar
1 TBS. Red Wine Vinegar
2 Tbs. All-purpose Flour
1/2 cup Sour Cream
1/4 cup Fresh Dill; Minced

Combine beef bouillon, cabbage, onions and peppercorns in a large saucepan and simmer for 45-minutes. Cool and strain mixture. Set broth aside and discard remaining onion, cabbage and peppercorns. Peel beets. Grate one beet with a fine grater. Place grated beet in a small bowl and mix with 3 Tbs. water and set aside. Cut remaining beets into julienne strips.

Melt butter In a heavy 2-quart pot. Add cut beets, and carrots and stir with a wooden spoon until vegetables are coated with the butter. Add sugar, vinegar and 1/4 cup bouillon. Cover pot tightly and simmer for 15 to 30-minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. If liquid cooks away, add a few more tablespoons of the bouillon.

Blend flour with some of the cooled bouillon to make a smooth, lump-free mixture. Add to cooked beets with remaining broth. Add reserved grated beets. Bring to a boil and ladle soup into bowls. Top with dill to taste, and add a heaping tablespoon of sour cream.