My first exposure to the concept of borscht was a childhood friend's mother who remembered borscht from her own childhood and wanted us kids to experience it.

However, not having any beets handy, she substituted canned tomato soup for the beet-infused broth itself; and not having any sour cream either, she garnished each bowl with a generous dollop of Kool Whip.

Joe, your wife's recipe may have given me the courage to try again.

Claire