- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 pounds beef short ribs, cut into 3- to 4-inch pieces
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 3 1/2 quarts water
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 carrot, coarsely chopped
- 12 whole black peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 whole cloves
- 10 medium beets (about 2 inches in diameter), rinsed, tops trimmed
- 1 cup water
- 3 cups (about) canned beef broth
- 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 6 cups thinly sliced green cabbage (about 1/2 small head)
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 large russet potato, peeled, diced
- 2 tablespoons (or more) red wine vinegar
- Sour cream
- Heat vegetable oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add half of beef ribs and sauté until brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer to plate. Repeat with remaining ribs; transfer to plate. Add sliced onion to pot. Sauté until golden, about 10 minutes. Return ribs and any juices to pot. Add 3 1/2 quarts water and remaining stock ingredients. Bring to boil, skimming any foam from surface. Reduce heat and simmer until ribs are very tender, skimming foam occasionally, about 2 1/2 hours.
- Using tongs, transfer ribs to plate. Strain stock into large bowl. Chill stock until fat solidifies on top, at least 3 hours. Remove meat from bones; cut away excess fat. Shred meat finely. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover meat and chill. Keep stock chilled.)
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange beets in single layer in 13x9x2-inch baking dish; add 1 cup water. Cover; bake beets until tender when pierced with knife, about 1 hour. Cool beets. Peel and cut into 1/3-inch dice.
- Remove fat from surface of stock. Add enough canned beef broth to stock to measure 10 cups.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large pot over medium-low heat. Add diced carrots and chopped onions and sauté 10 minutes. Add cabbage and garlic and sauté 5 minutes. Add 10 cups beef stock, beets, potato and 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar. Simmer until cabbage and potato are tender, about 20 minutes. Add shredded meat; simmer 5 minutes. Season with additional red wine vinegar, salt and pepper.
- Ladle borscht into bowls. Top each with dollop of sour cream and serve.