Racion

Lenten rassolnik with pearl barley and pickles

A classic tangy meatless soup with pearl barley, potatoes, and pickles. Dill and tomato paste brighten the flavor.

Time
1 h 15 min
Serving
461 kcal
Ingredients
≈ $1.55
Protein
12 g
Lenten rassolnik with pearl barley and pickles

Ingredients

1
  1. 1 Pearl barleypack 800 g ≈ $2.80 55 g
  2. 2 Pickled cucumberspack 680 g ≈ $3.20 90 g
  3. 3 Potatoes≈ $2.19 per kg 150 g
  4. 4 Carrots≈ $1.50 per kg 60 g
  5. 5 Onions≈ $1.60 per kg 60 g
  6. 6 Tomato pastepack 140 g ≈ $1.00 18 g
  7. 7 Sunflower oil 10 ml
  8. 8 Dillpack 50 g ≈ $1.80 8 g
  9. 9 Salt 2 g
  10. 10 Ground black pepper 1 g

Grey rows are pantry staples: salt, oil, spices. They are not counted in the serving price.

Method

  1. Rinse the pearl1 barley, cover with 600 ml water, and cook for 40 minutes until almost tender.

  2. Chop the onion5 and carrot4, and sauté in oil for 5 minutes.

  3. Add the tomato6 paste and grated or finely chopped pickles2, and simmer for 5 minutes.

  4. Dice the potatoes3, add to the pearl1 barley, and cook for 15 minutes.

  5. Add the sautéed vegetables, salt, and pepper. Cook for 10–12 minutes, until the potatoes3 are completely tender.

  6. Add the dill8, remove from the heat, and let the rassolnik stand for 10 minutes.

Tips

Why it works
Cook the pearl barley separately for 40 minutes so it doesn't overcook in the soup and keeps its shape. If you cook it together with the potato, it turns into porridge.
Substitutions
Replace the cucumbers with pickled tomatoes (100 g). The acidity will be brighter, but the soup thicker. Instead of pearl barley, use bulgur (50 g), but cook it less, 20 minutes.
Common mistakes
If the potato is undercooked, it stays firm inside and dry. Check by tasting: a piece should mash easily.
Storing and reheating
Keep in the fridge for 3 days and reheat over medium heat under a lid for 8–10 minutes. Don't freeze, the barley goes soft.
Serve with
Serve with rye bread and kvass to soften the acidity. Good for lunch in cold weather.

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