Evenly dice your beef into bite size pieces, dice your onion, and mince your garlic. Have beef and vegetable stocks nearby.
Heat a 5 qt pot over medium high heat. Once you can feel heat on your hand when placing your hand 3 inches above the bottom of the pot, it is hot enough. Add your oil, and diced onions. Once the raw onion smell is gone and the onions are beginning to turn translucent, add garlic. Let the garlic saute for about 30 seconds then add your diced beef. Cook Beef until browned on both sides. Add beef stock, vegetable stock, water, bay leaf, thyme, cumin, ginger, dry dill, salt, and pepper.
Bring pot to a boil, then turn down to a simmer and cover the pot. Cook for an hour, stirring occasionally.
Peel and shred your carrots and beets into thin strips (julienne), cut your cabbage into thin strips, and peel and dice your potatoes into bite size pieces.
Add your cabbage and potatoes to simmering pot covered and allow them to cook for 15-20 minutes.
Take a large skillet and heat over medium heat until you can feel heat when you place your hand 3 inches above the pan. Add oil and saute carrots until tender. Add to the borsht and stir.
In the same skillet, over medium high heat add more oil (as needed) and begin to saute your beets. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of sugar. This will help your beets maintain their color, as well as enhance the beet flavor. When beets are tender, add to the borscht.
Stir the borsht, and taste. Add salt and pepper to preference. Serve with picked fresh dill and a dollop of sour cream. Its also essential to enjoy with a side of garlic toast. (rub a garlic clove along toasted bread, or butter toast and sprinkle with garlic powder and salt.) Borscht always tastes best the next day.