Borscht

The beautiful colour of this soup is much enhanced by suspending some raw grated beet in it after cooking. It is a classic cold soup, but in some countries it is served hot to departing guests to keep out the cold. Tastes great when accompanied by sour dough bread.

Borscht

Ingredients:

450g raw beetroots
2 large onions, sliced
2 large carrots, sliced
2 bay leaves
2 Tbsp olive oil
25g butter
1.5litres of boiling water
juice of 1 lemon
seasoning, to taste
1 raw beetroot, grated
sour cream or yoghurt for garnish

Method:

1. Peel the beetroots and cut into a small dice. Place them with the other sliced begetables in a large saucepan with the bay leaves, olive oil and butter. Add a pinch of salt and saute over a low heat for 10 minutes.

2. Add the boiling water then cover and simmer for about 2 hours, or until all the vegetables are tender.

3. Add the lemon juice and a little black pepper and leave to cool.

4. Remove the bay leaves and blend the soup into a puree. If it is too thick, add a little vegetable stock.

5. With the soup still off the heat, place the raw beetroot in a muslin/cheesecloth bag and suspend it in the soup. Remove after a few hours and stir the soup well.

6. Reheat it gently (if desired), or serve chilled with yoghurt, or swirls of sour cream.

Source: Spencer, C. (1992). The New Vegetarian: The ultimate guide to gourmet cooking and healthy living. Gaia Books: London

Serves: ????

Rating: 4

Creamy Honey Citrus Sauce

Good on a soy-schnitzel, or just on vegies! It's incredibly easy and tastes great hot or cold. The sauce will keep for a couple of days.

Creamy Honey Citrus Sauce

Ingredients:

Juice of 1 orange
Juice of 1-2 lemons
3 Tbsp sour cream
3 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp cornflour
1 Tbsp water

Method:

1. Juice the orange and lemon/s so that you have approximately equal quantities of each. Pour the juice into a saucepan and add the sour cream and honey. Slowly heat.

2. Meanwhile, mix cornflour and water together to form a paste. When sauce is warm enough, add cornflour mixture to thicken it. DO NOT boil the sauce or it will separate.

3. Serve warm.

Rating: 5!!!