Khaladnik - Belarusian Cold Beet Soup

Ingredients

• 4 medium beets, cooked and grated 4 medium beets, cooked and grated
• 2 cucumbers, peeled and diced 2 cucumbers, peeled and diced
• 4 radishes, thinly sliced 4 radishes, thinly sliced
• 4 scallions, finely chopped 4 scallions, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
• 4 cups kefir or buttermilk 4 cups kefir or buttermilk
• 1 cup sour cream 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 18g, 12g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the grated beets, diced cucumbers, sliced radishes, chopped scallions, and fresh dill.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the kefir or buttermilk, sour cream, and lemon juice until well combined.
3. 3.
   Pour the kefir mixture over the beet and vegetable mixture. Stir gently to combine.
4. 4.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. 5.
   Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together.
6. 6.
   Serve the chilled Khaladnik in bowls, garnished with additional dill if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beets — To save time, you can use pre-cooked beets available in the grocery store. Alternatively, you can roast or boil fresh beets until tender before grating them.
• Kefir or buttermilk — If you prefer a thicker consistency, use Greek yogurt instead of kefir or buttermilk. Adjust the amount according to your desired thickness.
• Radishes — Choose radishes that are firm and crisp for the best texture in the soup.

Tips & Tricks

• For a creamier texture, blend half of the soup in a blender before combining it with the remaining ingredients.
• Adjust the amount of sour cream and lemon juice according to your taste preferences for a balance of tanginess.
• Serve Khaladnik with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh dill on top for an extra touch of flavor.

Serving advice

Serve Khaladnik chilled as a refreshing appetizer or light lunch. It pairs well with crusty bread or traditional Belarusian rye bread.

Presentation advice

To enhance the visual appeal, garnish each serving of Khaladnik with a sprig of fresh dill and a few slices of radish. The vibrant magenta color of the soup will make it an eye-catching centerpiece on your table.