Refreshing Beet Soup

Ingredients

• 4 medium beets, cooked and peeled (about 2 cups/470ml) 4 medium beets, cooked and peeled (about 2 cups/470ml)
• 2 cups (470ml) buttermilk 2 cups (470ml) buttermilk
• 1 cup (235ml) sour cream 1 cup (235ml) sour cream
• 1 cucumber, peeled and diced 1 cucumber, peeled and diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
• 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 blender or food processor, puree the cooked beets until smooth.
2. 2.
   In a large bowl, combine the beet puree, buttermilk, sour cream, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
3. 3.
   Stir in the diced cucumber, fresh dill, and chives.
4. 4.
   Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
5. 5.
   Serve the chilled soup in bowls or glasses, garnished with additional cucumber slices and a sprinkle of fresh dill.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beets — To save time, you can use pre-cooked beets available in the grocery store. If using fresh beets, boil them until tender, then peel and cool before pureeing.
• Buttermilk — If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using.
• Sour cream — Greek yogurt can be used as a substitute for sour cream if desired.
• Cucumber — English cucumbers work best for this recipe due to their mild flavor and fewer seeds.
• Dill — Fresh dill is recommended for its vibrant flavor, but dried dill can be used as a substitute (use 1 teaspoon dried dill instead of 2 tablespoons fresh).

Tips & Tricks

• For a creamier texture, blend the soup for a longer time to ensure the beets are fully pureed.
• Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences. You can add more lemon juice for extra tanginess or more salt and pepper for additional flavor.
• Serve the soup with a side of crusty bread or boiled potatoes for a more substantial meal.
• Garnish the soup with a dollop of sour cream and a sprig of fresh dill for an elegant presentation.
• This soup tastes even better the next day, as the flavors have more time to develop. Make it ahead of time for a stress-free gathering.

Serving advice

Serve the chilled beet soup in bowls or glasses, allowing the vibrant pink color to shine through. Garnish each serving with a few cucumber slices and a sprinkle of fresh dill for an extra pop of color and flavor.

Presentation advice

To elevate the presentation, consider serving the soup in chilled glass bowls or glasses. The vibrant pink color of the soup against the transparent glass creates an eye-catching display. Add a sprig of fresh dill on top for an elegant touch.