Not Your Grandpa's Borscht (Delicious Beet & Cabbage Soup)

This soup is a fabulous brain food and detoxifier. Beets help relax the blood vessels and improve circulation. Coriander, cumin, caraway and cayenne are carminative helping with the assimilation of nutrients along with the cabbage that soothes the tummy. Great digestion yields healthy brain. Adapted from R. Katz: The Healthy Mind Cookbook

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

1 fennel bulb, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

Sea salt

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp caraway seeds

Pinch of red pepper flakes

6 cups of bone broth

3 cups 1/2-inch diced green cabbage (small)

3 beets, trimmed, peeled, and cut into 1/2-inch dice

1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

6 Tsp plain yogurt, for garnish

1/4 cup chopped fresh dill, for garnish

Directions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat, then add the onion, fennel, celery, and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt and saute until golden, about 6 minutes. Stir in the cumin, coriander, caraway, and red pepper flakes and saute until well combined. Pour in 1/2 cup of the broth to deglaze the pot, stirring to loosen any bits stuck to the pot, and cook until the liquid is reduced by half.

2. Add the cabbage and 1/4 teaspoon of salt and stir. Thenadd the beets and another 1/4 teaspoon of salt; stir and cook for about a minute. Add the remaining 5 1/2 cups of broth and another 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer until the beets are tender, about 20-25 minutes. Add the lemon juice and taste; you may want to add another pinch of salt or a squeeze of lemon.