It’s getting hot out there. But, truly, summer is my favorite time of year.
The bounty of everything blooming and growing, the long warm nights, the al fresco dining, the gorgeous sunsets, and trips to the seaside… there is a lot to look forward to this year!
This soup is made to be served chilled, which means that there are no sautéed ingredients and no oil in it. The result is a cooling version of a Russian classic.
Tips: If you enjoy beets, try this hot botvinnik version or these simply delicious salt-crusted roast beets.
Cold beet and beet greens soup
You’ll need:
- 4 beets + their greens
- 2 sticks celery
- 1 t lemon juice
- 1 T salt
- 1 t sugar
- sour cream
- hard boiled eggs (optional)
1. Either bake or boil the beets. See links in the Tips section above on the best ways to do either.
2. Grate the beets using a grater (not too fine). Chop the greens and the celery.
3. In a large pot, bring about 8 cups of water to boil. Add celery and beet greens, let simmer for 3-4 minutes.
4. Add beets and lemon juice – to retain that bright color – salt and sugar. Stir and let cook for about a minute longer.
5. Take off heat, cover, let cool and chill.
Serve with half a hard-boiled egg and a dollop of sour cream, if desired.
Cold soup seems perfect in summer, especially this one with its delicious ingredients 😀
Cheers
CCU
It’s so cooling! Thanks, Uru 🙂
I’ve only recently started eating beet greens. Can you believe that I used to just throw them out?! What a waste, ack! This soup looks gorgeously refreshing. I love the idea of eating it with sour cream too (perfect partner with beets, methinks!). Will be trying this 🙂
I think a lot – most! – people do that, but they are both delicious and nutritious 🙂 Hope you enjoy!
I’m so impressed that the recipe even calls for the beet green! This sounds really unique and tasty!
Very healthy too! The greens are delicious.
My mom makes a similar cold beet soup during the summer! I don’t think she uses beet greens though, I will ask her, and probably try it myself some day!
It’s a lighter version of a very popular summer soup, so I am sure she has made it before 🙂 Enjoy, Darya!
Al fresco dining.. say no more! I love summer dinners on the patio or deck! This soup is so pretty and would be so impressive served to guests.. or just our family:)
Thank you, Smidge! It is truly one of my favorite summer activities.