Vegetarian Borscht - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 small beets, peeled and coarsely grated
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, or as needed
1 onion, chopped
3 carrot, coarsely grated
8 cups water
1/4 medium head cabbage, shredded
3/4 cup dry yellow lentils
3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons sour cream, or more to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Preparation

Combine beets and vinegar in a small frying pan over low heat. Cook, while stirring, until soft, about 15 minutes.
Heat oil in a large frying pan over low heat while beets are cooking. Add onion and stir for 2 minutes. Add carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
In the meantime, bring water to a simmer in a large saucepan. Add cabbage and lentils. Cook for 10 minutes. Add potatoes and cook for 10 minutes more. Stir in cooked beets and onion-carrot mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Add tomato paste and simmer until all vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes more. Serve with sour cream and dill.