Lenten Rassolnik

Ingredients

• 80 g (⅓ cup) pearl barley
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 4 pickled cucumbers, grated, plus 200 ml (¾ cup) of their brine
• 1 onion and 1 carrot, chopped
• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 litres (8 cups) water
• Bay leaf, dill and pepper

Method

1. Simmer the barley in the water for 35 minutes.
2. Add the potatoes and bay leaf and cook 15 minutes.
3. Fry the onion, carrot and pickles in the oil with the tomato paste for 10 minutes and add them to the pot.
4. Pour in the brine to taste and simmer 5 minutes. Add dill.

Tip. Taste before salting. The brine is often enough.