Grand Borscht

• 2 quarts beef, chicken, or vegetable stock, preferably homemade (page 160 or 162)
• 1 carrot
• 1 celery stalk
• 1 whole medium onion, plus 2 large onions, chopped
• 4 pounds beef short ribs or beef shank or 2 pounds brisket
• 1 ham hock, optional
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 cup dried small white beans, like navy or pea, soaked overnight or boiled for 2 minutes and soaked for 2 hours, if time allows, and drained
• 1 1/2 pounds beets, peeled and diced
• 4 medium or 8 small baking potatoes, like Idaho or russet, peeled and diced
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
• 6 garlic cloves, roughly chopped, optional
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 Granny Smith or other tart apples, peeled, cored, and roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar or red wine vinegar, or to taste
• Minced fresh dill leaves or chives for garnish
• Sour cream for serving

1. Combine the stock, carrot, celery, whole onion, beef, ham hock if youre using it, bay leaf, and beans in a stockpot; bring to a boil, then cover partially and adjust the heat so the mixture simmers steadily.
2. Cook until the meat and beans are very tender, at least 2 hours.
3. Remove the bay leaf and vegetables and discard.
4. Remove the beef and cool, then cut it into chunks.
5. If you used the ham hock, remove the meat from the bone; reserve the meat and discard the bone.
6. (This can all be done days in advance; cover and refrigerate until youre ready to proceed.)
7. Meanwhile, add the beets and potatoes to the stock along with the beef and ham and simmer while you proceed with the recipe.
8. Put the butter in a large skillet and turn the heat to high.
9. When it melts, add the chopped onions, garlic, and cabbage, along with a large pinch of salt and a sprinkling of pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions and cabbage are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
10. Add the apples and cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes more.
11. Turn off the heat and stir in the vinegar.
12. Add the onion-cabbage mixture to the bubbling stock, then taste and adjust the seasoning.
13. Garnish and serve hot, passing the sour cream at the table.

beef, carrot, celery, onion, beef short ribs, ham hock, bay leaf, white beans, beets, baking potatoes, butter, garlic, cabbage, salt, apples, cider vinegar, dill, sour cream

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/grand-borscht-385875 (may not work)