7 minute read
Vegan Beet Borscht: With Beluga Lentil ‘Caviar,’ Presented by chef Jessica
FEATURED COLUMNIST Vegan Beet Borscht
With Beluga Lentil ‘Caviar’
Advertisement
Presented by chef Jessica Yarr
When Russia attacked Ukraine, chef Jessica Yarr posted a photo on Instagram of her Ukrainian ancestors and asked, “When can we make war obsolete?”
Her grandmother Olga lived to be 103 and was brought to the USA in utero. Her great-grandmother Tekla immigrated during the Bulshevik revolution.
Her Ukrainian soul-food pop-up restaurant, Chicken Foot, a celebration of her heritage, can be seen at farmers’ markets.
Yarr, who lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains, says, “Sourcing the best local farm-fresh ingredients will Jessica Yarr always give the best results. Shopping at the local farmer’s market gives me the inspiration for my dishes. This soup can be made with a variety of vegetables, as long as it does include some beets!”
Vegan Beet Borscht with Beluga Lentil “Caviar”
Yield 6 Cups
For the borscht:
2-3 red beets (shredded) 2 yukon potatoes (small diced) 2 carrots (shredded) 2 stalks celery (half moon) 2 large cloves garlic 1 yellow onion (julienne) 11/2 cups shredded savoy cabbage 4-5 cups homemade vegetable stock 1 tsp sea salt 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp Hungarian paprika 1 TBL apple cider vinegar 1 TBL sunflower oil
I bunch dill or flat leaf parsley
For the lentil:
1⁄2 cup black beluga lentils 1 cups filtered water 1 tsp sea salt 1⁄2 shallot (fine chop) •••
Prepare Homemade Vegetable Stock
Vegetable stock in its basic form can consist of regular everyday vegetable scraps such as leek tops, mushroom stems, carrot peels, onion skins etc. Vegetable stock is a great way to prevent food waste in the kitchen.
Just reserve your scraps until you have enough to make some broth. I suggest avoiding too many starchy vegetables, as it will create a cloudy stock.
I also like to add a little seaweed, and some peppercorns and fresh thyme. You then add filtered water, and simmer in a pot for about 1 hour. Strain the liquid and toss the simmered vegetable into the compost!
Make the Soup
Slice onion into thin slices, rough chop garlic, and place into pot on low heat with the sunflower oil, and the salt and sweat on low heat until translucent.
Add in coriander and paprika and cook for 1 minute to release the aroma.
Add in celery, shredded beets and carrots. Add dice potato, and vegetable stock and simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes.
Add shred cabbage and dill and let wilt.
Finish with apple cider vinegar & salt to taste, to balance brighten the soup.
Top with fresh dill, lentil “caviar” and a dollop of sour cream or vegan yogurt.
To make the Lentil Caviar
Saute shallots in a small amount of oil for 1 minute, add salt and lentils and water.
Cook for 10 minutes and turn off heat and let lentil stew until cooled. n
Share A Recipe!
Do you have a recipe that is a family favorite? Or maybe one from your childhood you would like to share? The Capitola Soquel Times will be publishing one recipe each issue from a community member.
Feel free to add a little history to the recipe if you want (approximately 75 words). Every issue we will randomly choose a recipe to publish.
Find your favorite and send it to cathe@cyber-times.com today!
BirchBark Foundation protects and honors the human-animal bond.
"BirchBark has given me more time with my dog which is EVERYTHING! You have so supported us in a difficult time and we are so grateful. " ~Lulu
Financial help for low-income families struggling to save their pet during a medical crisis Pet advocacy education for all people that love their pets
Grief and loss counseling for those that had to say goodbye to their beloved companion Learn more at
birchbarkfoundation.org or call 831.471.7255
Now more than ever you need an experienced tech-savvy real estate TEAM that you can trust!
DAVID WEBB
BROKER ASSOCIATE C: 831.818.0310 DRE# 01256289 david@screalestate.net
KAREN BISH
REALTOR C: 831.440.7203 DRE# 01955665 kbish@screalestate.net
From start to fi nish we take care of everything. Marketing in Today’s Reality!
• Virtual Open Houses • 3D Photos & Home Tours • Virtual Tours Now is the time to get started. Don’t miss this seller’s market!
Call or text us today?
2161 Delaware Avenue Santa Cruz, California 95060
Register Now for Spring & Summer Classes
Join us outdoors for THE BEST in early Childhood Music Enrichment, Family Bonding & Fun – for ages birth to 5 years: Music Together®
Don’t Miss Out – Contact Us Today! 831.332.9002 MusicalMe.com
HOURS
Tues-Fri 11am - 10pm Sat 9am - 12am Sun 9am - 10pm
2591 Main St., Soquel 831-479-9777 michaelsonmain.com
BREAKFAST/ BRUNCH
Tues-Fri until 1pm Sat/Sun until 3pm
Best Best
Locally Owned and Operated! serving The community for over 30 years
Prices On Michelin & BF Goodrich Tires
LOWEST PRICES ON NAME BRANDS
www.bigotires.com Stephanie Melchor Ojeda
Soquel Elementary School
Principal Eric Witter shared the following about Stephanie: “Soquel Elementary is celebrating Stephanie Melchor Ojeda. Stephanie is currently a 5th grade student, and staff have admired her growth as a student over six years. An overarching attribute she has demonstrated is the desire to be the best student and person she can be. Stephanie is a member
Stephanie Ojeda of Student Leadership, where she has the roles of being a Conflict Manager and a Kindness Ambassador. As a Conflict Manager, she has gone above and beyond as a role model for younger students. She has also asked to help with tasks at school, with roles like sorting recycling, because she believes in helping others. Stephanie works very hard in class, and is eager to do all she can to grow.
She has asked for additional support in subjects like math to make sure she’s reaching her potential. Stephanie is interested in athletics, and is able to be both competitive and supportive with other athletes. At this point in her school career, she is very interested in pursuing astronomy.
An astrophysicist recently did a presentation in the class, and Stephanie has plans to follow up with her with further questions on that career. Thank you, Stephanie, for being a stellar student at Soquel Elementary!”
Elizabeth “Ellie” Spilman Opal Cliffs School
Elizabeth “Ellie” Spilman is a 6th grader with the Independent Study Program through Opal Cliffs School and has just finished out her second season on the slopes with the Heavenly Free Ski Competition team, culminating in her participation in the USASA Nationals ski competition at Copper Mountain in Colorado. Her favorite things to do on the mountain are to go down extremely technical double black diamond terrain, race her friends and family, participate in Ski Cross events and the Heavenly Gunbarrel 25 race.
Enrolling in the Opal Cliffs Independent Study Program has facilitated her ability to pursue her goals both academically and athletically, and she plans to continue her enrollment next year. She also learned to play the trombone with the band at New Brighton Middle School. n
Elizabeth Spilman
Locally owned and operated since 1966
THE LARGEST SELECTION OF LANDSCAPE MATERIALS IN TOWN
• Interlocking Pavers • Retaining Wall Systems • Flagstone & Slate • Real & Artifi cial Turf • Decorative Gravel & Utility Sands • High Quality Organic Soils & Compost • Custom Mixes • Drainage & Erosion Control • Boulders • Garden Tools & Masonry Supplies • Pond Supplies & Pumps • Soil Amendments • Organic Fertilizers & Pest Control • Decorative Mulch & Wood Chips • and much more!
