Now it's time for vegetables.
Gradually add potatoes, sauerkraut, and after 10 minutes - fresh cabbage, celery, tomatoes and bell pepper.
After another 10 minutes, add the bay leaf and allspice and, finally, the beetroot. Now we no longer close the lid, as soon as the borscht and beetroot boil, we taste it and, if desired, add lemon or fruit vinegar or even both/ it all depends on the sweetness of beets and tomatoes.
Sometimes, instead of acid, we have to add 1/2 tsp of sugar. Advice for those who want to reduce the calorie content of the dish as much as possible.
Broth or ready-made borscht should be cooled well, while droplets of frozen fat form on the surface, which is very easy to get rid of.