This beautifully delicious green borsch recipe will become a new favorite in your crockpot cooking repertoire. With tender chicken legs, earthy nettle leaves, tangy sorrel, and the aromatic flair of Utsho Suneli seasoning, this recipe is a simple and nutritious meal that your family will love. Top with a dollop of sour cream for added creaminess and serve with crusty bread for a comforting meal that’s sure to satisfy.

Directions

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  1. Alright, my lovely friends, let’s get ready to cook up a storm with this scrumptious borsch recipe! We’re talking about a hearty and nourishing soup that will warm you up from the inside out. So let’s get our crockpots ready because we’re in for a treat.
  2. First things first, let’s get our chicken and potatoes bubbling away in that crockpot. We want to make sure that we’re giving those ingredients the love and attention they deserve, so we’ll be boiling them in 5 cups of water for a good 1.5 hours. That’s right, we’re in for a slow and steady cook that will bring out all of those beautiful flavors.
  3. Now, while our chicken is doing its thing, let’s get to work on those eggs. We want them nice and hard-boiled, so we’re talking about a good 10-12 minutes of cooking time. Don’t be shy with that boiling water, my friends, let’s make sure those eggs are cooked to perfection.
  4. Next up, let’s get our veggies ready to go. We’re talking about a finely chopped onion and carrot that will add some lovely sweetness and crunch to our borsch. And let’s not forget about those greens! We’ll be rinsing and chopping a handful of nettle leaves, a bunch of sorrel, and 3 sprigs of green onion. These ingredients are packed with flavor and nutrients and will give our borsch a lovely pop of color.
  5. Once our chicken has been simmering away for a good 90 minutes, we’ll add in our veggies and greens. We’ll let those simmer for a good 5 minutes, and then it’s time to season things up. We’re talking about a pinch of salt and some aromatic seasoning based on Utsho-Suneli. This is a classic spice blend from Georgia that will give our borsch a lovely kick of flavor.

  6. Now, let’s not forget about those hard-boiled eggs we cooked up earlier. We’ll slice those bad boys up and add them to our borsch for a little bit of extra protein and texture. And then, we’ll let everything cook together for another 10 minutes or so until our borsch is looking and smelling absolutely divine.
  7. Finally, we’ll turn off the crockpot and let our borsch sit on the warming setting for a good 10 minutes. This will allow all of those flavors to meld together and create a beautiful, cohesive soup.

  8. And then, it’s time to serve! We’ll ladle up our borsch into bowls, and top each one off with a dollop of sour cream. This will add a lovely creaminess and tanginess to our borsch and will take it to the next level. So go ahead and dig in my friends – this borsch is a winner!

Health benefits of Green Borsch

Additionally, the broth used in this recipe contains gelatin, collagen, and other beneficial compounds that can support gut health, improve skin elasticity, and boost joint health. These nutrients are extracted from the chicken bones during the long cooking process, making the broth a nourishing and healing addition to the recipe.

Furthermore, the use of fresh, whole ingredients in this recipe ensures that you’re getting the maximum amount of nutrients from each ingredient, providing a well-rounded and nutritious meal for your body.

  • Chicken: a good source of protein and several essential nutrients, such as niacin, selenium, and vitamin B6.
  • Potatoes: rich in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, and may help with blood sugar control.
  • Hard-boiled eggs: a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, such as vitamin D, vitamin B12, and selenium.
  • Onion: contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, and may help with heart health and blood sugar control.
  • Carrot: rich in beta-carotene, fiber, and several vitamins and minerals, and may help with eye health and immune function.
  • Sorrel: rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and several minerals, and may help with digestion and heart health.
  • Green onion: a good source of vitamin K and antioxidants, and may help with bone health and blood sugar control.
  • Nettle leaves: contain several vitamins and minerals, such as iron and vitamin C, and may help with inflammation and allergies.
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Health risks of Green Borsch

Additionally, some individuals may be allergic to certain ingredients used in this recipe, such as eggs or sorrel. So it’s vital to be aware of any food allergies or intolerances before preparing or consuming this meal. While the use of a crockpot can be a convenient and healthy cooking method.

Another potential risk to consider is the high sodium content in this recipe. Adding too much salt to the borsch can contribute to high blood pressure, which can lead to a range of health problems such as heart disease and stroke. To reduce the sodium content, you can use low-sodium broth and season the borsch with herbs and spices instead of salt.

While sour cream is a traditional topping for borsch, it’s high in saturated fat and calories, so it’s essential to use it in moderation. You can opt for a low-fat or non-fat sour cream alternative, or skip the sour cream altogether and top your borsch with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice for added flavor.

Finally, if you have any concerns about the safety or nutritional value of this recipe, it’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian.

What time could take this recipe cooking

This green borsch recipe can take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours to prepare, including the time needed to cook the chicken legs in the crockpot for 1.5 hours. And the additional time needed to add the remaining ingredients, simmer the soup, and allow it to rest before serving.

However, the actual cooking time can vary depending on the size of the chicken legs, the desired consistency of the soup, and the specific crockpot or cooking equipment used. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the soup and adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.

Best serving variation

There are many ways to serve and enjoy green borsch, depending on personal preferences and dietary restrictions.

Here are a few ideas:

  1. Classic style: Serve the borsch hot, topped with a dollop of sour cream and a slice of crusty bread.
  2. Low-carb option: Skip the bread and sour cream and instead top the soup with fresh herbs, such as chopped dill or parsley, and a squeeze of lemon juice for added flavor.
  3. Vegan variation: Replace the chicken legs with vegetable broth and add some diced potatoes or mushrooms for extra heartiness. Top with vegan sour cream or a spoonful of cashew cream for a creamy texture.
  4.  Gluten-free option: Serve the soup with gluten-free bread or crackers and make sure that any seasonings or broths used are certified gluten-free.
  5. Cold soup: Chill the borsch in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight and serve it as a refreshing cold soup, perfect for a hot summer day.

No matter how you serve it, green borsch is a flavorful and nutritious soup that can be enjoyed in many ways.

Where you can buy nettle leaves and sorrel in the USA, UK, Australia, and Canada

Nettle leaves and sorrel are commonly used in cooking and can be found in some grocery stores, farmer’s markets, or online retailers.

Here are some options for where to buy nettle leaves and sorrel or its variation in the USA, UK, Australia, and Canada:

USA:
– Whole Foods Market: offers fresh nettle leaves and sorrel in some locations
– Local farmers markets: may have fresh nettle leaves and sorrel available during the growing season
– Online retailers: such as Amazon.com, and Etsy, or specialty food stores like Penzeys Spices, may offer dried or fresh nettle leaves and sorrel

UK:
– Tesco: offers fresh nettle leaves and sorrel in some locations
– Local farmers markets: may have fresh nettle leaves and sorrel available during the growing season
– Online retailers: such as Amazon.co.uk, or specialty food stores like Steenbergs Organic, may offer dried or fresh nettle leaves and sorrel

Australia:
– Coles or Woolworths: offer fresh nettle leaves and sorrel in some locations
– Local farmers markets: may have fresh nettle leaves and sorrel available during the growing season
– Online retailers: such as Amazon.com.au or specialty food stores like The Essential Ingredient, may offer dried or fresh nettle leaves and sorrel

Canada:
– Loblaws or Metro: offer fresh nettle leaves and sorrel in some locations
– Local farmers markets: may have fresh nettle leaves and sorrel available during the growing season
– Online retailers: such as Amazon.ca or specialty food stores like The Silk Road Spice Merchant, may offer dried or fresh nettle leaves and sorrel.