Barszcz - Polish Beet Soup

Ingredients

• 1 lb beets ((450g) 2 medium/large beets)
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 6 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon marjoram
• 3 tablespoons chopped dill
• salt and pepper (to taste)
• 2 lbs (1 kg) starchy potatoes, like russets
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon frying oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 medium/large onions
• 8 slices bacon

Instructions

1. 1

   Wrap the beets in aluminum foil and bake for about an hour at 400°F (200°C) or until they can be easily pierced with a fork (small beets can be done after 45 minutes, medium after about an hour, large need about an hour and a half).

2. 2

   While the beets are baking prepare the sides: cook potatoes until soft, mash them with 3 Tbsp butter and 1/4 cup milk while still hot. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. 3

   Dice the onion, cut the bacon into cubes. Heat the oil and 2 Tbsp of butter in a large frying pan. Add the onions and bacon, cook over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes or until the onions are soft, lightly caramelized, and the bacon is browned. Transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels. (If you want the bacon super crispy cook it separately from the onions.)

4. 4

   When the beets are cool enough to handle, peel them and grate on the large holes of a box grater (use gloves!).

5. 5

   Add the beets to a large pot, add the broth. Bring to a boil, add the vinegar, and simmer for 10-15 minutes.

6. 6

   Temper the cream: add both types of cream to a cup, gradually add a couple of tablespoons of hot soup, stirring after each addition. Add the tempered cream to the pot. You can also mix this in a food processor (it's easier to perfectly combine the sour cream with the soup). Add the tempered cream to the soup.

7. 7

   Add marjoram, lemon juice, chopped dill, and sugar. Season the soup with salt and pepper then adjust the seasonings to your taste - add more vinegar or lemon juice if it's too sweet or add more sugar if it's too sour. The soup should have a distinct flavor and taste sweet and sour.

8. 8

   Put some mashed potatoes into a soup plate, pour in some soup, top the potatoes with bacon and onions (you can also serve mashed potatoes, onions, and bacon on a separate plate).

9. 9

   Enjoy!