In the fourth episode of “Comfort Food Stories,” Rahel meets Maryna from Ukraine. Together, they cook “Borscht,” a beetroot soup with beef and vegetables that is a true classic in Ukraine. According to Maryna, she ate borscht almost every day during her childhood, so it reminds her of her home. This is how the Ukrainian national dish became her ultimate comfort food – even though she didn't like it at all as a child!
Maryna's mother's recipe:
Ingredients for four servings:- 2 litres of water
- 300 g meat (e.g. pork)
- 3 medium-sized beetroots (cooked, peeled)
- 4 potatoes
- 1 carrot
- 1 onion
- 1–2 cloves of garlic
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 lemon
- Some dill (fresh, chopped)
- Salt, black pepper
- Sunflower oil (for frying)
- Boil the meat with salt and bay leaves in water. Remove the meat and cut into small pieces. Then return to the pot with the broth.
- Prepare the vegetables: peel and coarsely grate the carrots, finely dice the onions. Peel and dice the potatoes. Cut the beetroot into fine strips.
- Fry the carrot, onion and tomato purée in a little oil (2–3 minutes).
- Add the potatoes to the pot with the meat and broth and cook for 5 minutes. Then add the beetroot, carrots and onions.
- Add the lemon slices, chopped dill, salt and pepper. Simmer for another 10 minutes, then serve.
Comfort Food Storys
In Comfort Food Storys, personal stories are paired with dishes designed to combat homesickness. Here, people talk about how they came to Germany, sharing tales of culture shock, new opportunities, and food that reminds them of home.
In Comfort Food Storys, personal stories are paired with dishes designed to combat homesickness. Here, people talk about how they came to Germany, sharing tales of culture shock, new opportunities, and food that reminds them of home.
September 2025
