Refreshing Beet Soup

Ingredients

• 4 medium beets, cooked and peeled (500g / 1.1 lb) 4 medium beets, cooked and peeled (500g / 1.1 lb)
• 2 cucumbers, peeled and diced (300g / 10.5 oz) 2 cucumbers, peeled and diced (300g / 10.5 oz)
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped (100g / 3.5 oz) 1 small red onion, finely chopped (100g / 3.5 oz)
• 2 cups (470ml) kefir 2 cups (470ml) kefir
• 1 cup (240ml) vegetable broth 1 cup (240ml) vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Edible flowers for garnish (optional) Edible flowers for garnish (optional)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 150 kcal / 628 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 4g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 22g, 14g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Grate two of the cooked beets and dice the remaining two.
2. 2.
   In a large bowl, combine the grated beets, diced beets, cucumbers, red onion, kefir, vegetable broth, dill, chives, and lemon juice.
3. 3.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine.
4. 4.
   Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. 5.
   Before serving, give the soup a good stir. Adjust the seasoning if needed.
6. 6.
   Ladle the chilled soup into bowls and garnish with edible flowers, if desired.
7. 7.
   Serve cold and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beets — To save time, you can use pre-cooked beets available in stores. If using fresh beets, boil or roast them until tender before peeling and using in the recipe.

Tips & Tricks

• For a creamier texture, blend a portion of the soup before adding the diced beets and cucumbers.
• Adjust the amount of lemon juice according to your preference for tanginess.
• Serve the soup with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for added richness.
• Experiment with different herbs like mint or parsley for a unique twist.
• Make the soup in advance and let it chill overnight for even better flavor development.

Serving advice

Serve the Chłodnik litewski in chilled bowls to keep it refreshing. Accompany it with a slice of crusty bread or a side of boiled potatoes for a more substantial meal.

Presentation advice

To make the presentation more appealing, drizzle a swirl of kefir or yogurt on top of the soup and sprinkle some fresh dill or chives. The vibrant pink color of the soup, along with the garnish, will make it visually enticing.