Cold weather cookery

I decided to nurture the Russian half of me today by making a big pot of borshcht. I had bought a bunch of fresh beetroot with their green tops still on as I like to add the shredded leaves after the root veg has simmered for a while in the stock (it was beef but without any meat). I also made some dumplings so the whole thing comprised a complete meal, together with smetana to be added at the table.

Fred looks on with interest - he's a cat that will eat almost anything. I have to watch out because he has asbestos paws and can walk right over the stove.