Baba's Borscht

I found this one in Parade magazine, and thought it looked good.
link

ingredients:
3 Tbsp olive oil
2 pounds beef stew meat, cut in ¾-inch cubes
4 bay leaves
2 quarts beef stock
2 large onions, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
8 medium-size fresh beets, boiled, skinned, and shredded
2 cups shredded cabbage
1 small can tomato paste
Juice of 1 lemon (or 2 lemons, if you prefer)
1 handful fresh dill, minced
1 handful fresh parsley, minced
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Sour cream (optional)

At a glance:
Servings: 6

Active Time: 30 min

Total Time: 2 hours 30 min


directions:
1. In a large pot, heat the oil on high for 30 seconds. Add the beef cubes and bay leaves. Sauté until golden brown. Pour in the stock and reduce the heat.

2. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Simmer on low for 2 hours, or until the meat is meltingly tender, making sure the soup never boils. Add the beets and cabbage during the last half hour of cooking.

3. Spoon in the tomato paste and sprinkle with lemon juice. Add a little hot water if the soup is too thick. Stir in the dill and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream, if desired.

Vera's Tips:

For a bolder taste, substitute lamb. I like to use lamb rib chops or loin chops.
Homemade stock is preferred for a deeper, more heartfelt flavor.
Serve the borscht with lightly toasted and buttered whole wheat Portuguese ciabatta rolls.




KITCHEN COUNTER:

Serves: 6 Per serving: 330 calories, 10g carbs, 16g protein, 25g fat, 450mg cholesterol, 220mg sodium, 1g fiber