Name: Spicy Beef Soup with Herbs
Yield: Makes 8 servings
Cuisine: Ukraine
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 large onion, chopped; 4 large plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, crushed; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh celery leaves; 1 cup chopped fresh herbs in any combination: basil, parsley, dill, tarragon, etc.; Juice of 1 lemon; 1 cup white rice; 1 teaspoon sweet Hungarian paprika; 1 bay leaf; ¾ teaspoon crushed coriander seeds; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 (3½-pound) beef brisket, cut into small chunks; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Preparation info

Makes
8
servings

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

The New Ukrainian Cookbook

By Annette Ogrodnik Corona

Published 2020

About

Georgian in origin, this soup has proliferated in Ukraine for over 40 years due to Russian influence. You can find kharcho everywhere, from humble cafeterias and street-side cafes, to the most exclusive restaurants in major cities. The recipe has gone through countless changes as it made its way across Ukraine, but the most significant is the tendency of Ukrainians in the east to substitute lamb for the original beef in the soup. Beef seems to be the preference in western Ukraine. My