Постный Борщ — Fasting Borscht

Fasting borscht is not a lesser version of the meat original — it is its own magnificent dish,
and in many Russian and Ukrainian households it is the preferred recipe even outside of Lent.
The beet broth is pure, sweet, and deeply flavoured. A bowl of this with dark bread is a complete meal.

FASTING LEVEL: Fast With Oil (for strict oil-free days, skip the sauté and add raw vegetables directly to the broth)

SERVINGS: 8
TIME: 1 hour 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS:
- 3 medium beets, peeled and grated on a coarse grater
- 300 g cabbage, shredded
- 3 medium potatoes, cubed
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 carrots, grated
- 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (400 g) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 2.5 litres water or mushroom broth
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice or white vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh dill, for serving

METHOD:
1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and carrots, cook for 5 minutes.
2. Add grated beets, tomato paste, lemon juice, and sugar. Stir well, cover, and cook on low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step preserves the beets' vivid colour.
3. Pour in water or broth. Add potatoes and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add shredded cabbage and kidney beans. Simmer for another 15-20 minutes until all vegetables are tender.
5. Add garlic, salt, and pepper. Simmer 2 more minutes. Remove bay leaves.
6. Let the pot rest, covered, for at least 15 minutes before serving. Borscht needs this resting time.
7. Serve in deep bowls with plenty of fresh dill.

NOTES:
- The acid (lemon juice or vinegar) is essential — it keeps the beet colour bright red and balances the sweetness.
- Kidney beans make this a protein-rich one-bowl meal. They are a common Lenten addition.
- If you have dried mushrooms, simmer 20 g of them in the cooking water first for an even richer base.
- Like all borscht, this is better the next day.

NUTRITION (per serving, approximate):
Calories: 185 | Protein: 7 g | Carbohydrates: 31 g | Fat: 4 g | Fibre: 6 g