Beetroot and red cabbage borscht

This is such a quick soup to make it surprises me everytime!  And it only takes a few potent ingredients to have this delicious flavour and a colour to wow your dinner guests.
Each time I’ve made it I’ve played around with the amounts.  Sometimes I didn’t have enough beetroot, other times not enough red cabbage.  The soup is very forgiving – tastes delicious every time.

Both beetroot and red cabbage are rich in minerals and vitamins, esp A, C & K; not to mention both having great fibre content.  The nitrates in beetroot result in relaxing & dilating blood vessels (one reason its juice was such a trend some time ago; shame, however, not to eat it whole esp due to that bowel-healthy fibre!)
Studies show these nitrates, after being converted in our body, not only have the potential to lower BP but also improve cognition due to increased blood flow to the brain.  Something to be aware of is that beetroot is a FODMAP food (note: far less so when pickled!) so, if you have IBS issues you may want to do some gut healing first.

The DIM and sulforaphane in cabbage have been widely researched and written about due to their cancer-protective properties, so I won’t say any more than that.  Well worth reading about.
The vibrant colour of both these veg give away the fact they contain potent polphenols, those protective anti oxidants so vital to good health.  Betacyanin in the beetroot, and anthocyanin in red cabbage give it their colour and are just two of the many polyphenols within.

With all these benefits this is certainly one deliciously powerful recipe I’m keeping in my immune-supportive arsenal for the coming winter months…hope you enjoy it as much as we do x

 Ingredients:

(serves 4-6)
6 cooked beetroot
1 medium red cabbage
1 clove crushed garlic
800ml rich vegetable broth
4-5 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
an optional few dollops of maple syrup
garnish of leaves; basil and parsley worked for me

Method:

Cut the cabbage into chunks and steam until soft.  Put in a pot with the roughly chopped cooked beetroot, garlic and vegetable broth.   Heat then add the apple cider vinegar – and optional maple syrup.

Take off the heat, cool a little then blend to the consistency you like.

Taste test!  You may wish to add a little sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, or add more vegetable broth if you find it too thick.
Serve and garnish with basil or parsley leaves.
A rich, hearty soup – and so quick and easy!