Info
- Skill Level: Easy
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Favorited: 1 Time
Can be made ahead of time.
The World’s #1 Collection of Cookbook Recipes Online
Russell
Cookbook
Although my mother never made this fermented beet juice, my grandmother always did for Passover when it became the basis of the most piquant, winey beet borschts of the year. It was used in place of the water or beet liquid called for in the recipes for clear beet borscht with beef and cold beet borscht. It is so good that it seems a shame to relegate it to the short Passover week; I make it many times during the year because of the superior borscht it results in. Russell is a first cousin to Polish and Russian kvass, the fermented bread and fruit juice that is the basis for authentic borscht.
Yield : 5 quarts of liquid, plus beets
Ingredients
- About 10 pounds of beets, weighed after leaves and stems are removed
- Water
Directions
Scrub the beets and peel thinly. Cut into vertical quarters or eighths, depending on the size of the beets. The pieces should be about 1 to 1 ½ inches wide at the widest point.
Place in a thoroughly cleaned crock and pour in enough cold water to come within 2 inches of the top rim. Cover partially, setting the lid somewhat askew, then lay several layers of cheesecloth over the lid to keep dust out. Keep at room temperature for 1 week.
Skim off all scum on the surface. Stir well and skim again if more scum rises. By this time the liquid should begin to take on a faint pink color, and it will probably be cloudy.
Again, partially cover with a lid that in turn is covered with cheesecloth. Let stand in a cool but not cold corner for 2 to 3 weeks. The Russell is done when it is a clear, deep ruby-red color. Refrigerate until ready to use. It will keep for several weeks.
Use for borscht as indicated, or as a coloring and flavoring for grated horseradish when needed.
© 1979, 1991 by Mimi Sheraton
Nutritional Information
Nutrients per serving
Nutritional information is based on 20 servings.
60 kcal
2 % daily value
11 % daily value
0 % daily value
455 mg
32 mg
2 g
9 g
4 g
13 g
0 mg
109 mg
0 g
0 g
6 % daily value
