Chilled Beet Soup With Buttermilk Cucumbers And Dill Chlodnik Food

CHILLED BEET SOUP WITH BUTTERMILK, CUCUMBERS, AND DILL (CHLODNIK)

Steps:

• Using a large knife, separate greens and stems from beets. Thoroughly wash greens and stems; set aside. Scrub beets, transfer to a medium pot, and cover with 1" water. Cover pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, uncover, and cook until beets are tender when pierced with a knife, about 10 minutes. Drain beets; discard cooking liquid. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, chop beet greens and stems. Transfer to a large pot and add 1/2 tsp. salt and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer, without boiling, until greens are tender, about 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• Peel and coarsely grate beets, preferably wearing gloves. Add to pot with cooled greens. Gently stir in cucumbers, pickle, pickle brine, buttermilk, sour cream, and scallions. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cover pot and chill soup at least 30 minutes. Adjust seasonings, if desired. Divide soup among bowls; top with eggs and dill.
• Do Ahead
• Soup can be made 2 days ahead; cover and chill.

CHILLED BEET AND BUTTERMILK SOUP

Steps:

• Bring chicken stock, beets, onion, carrots, garlic and sugar to a boil, then lower heat and simmer until beets are tender - approximately 40 minutes (see above).
• Puree and cool.
• Strain (personal preference I think).
• Whisp in buttermilk.
• Stir in dill (if using) and salt & pepper to taste.
• Chill at least 4 hours.
• Serve.

COLD BEET AND CUCUMBER SOUP

Steps:

• Cook beets in large pot of boiling water until very tender and knife pierces through to the center easily, about 50 minutes. Drain beets; cool slightly. Peel and coarsely chop.
• Transfer beets, scallions, cucumbers, horseradish, and wine vinegar to food processor. Add some of the liquids to blend. Puree, but not too fine. Thin to desired consistency with beet juice and broth. Transfer to bowl, season, and chill several hours. Check seasoning before serving. Pour into individual bowls and garnish with spoonful of sour cream and sprinkling of dill. Can be made up to 3 days in advance, covered, chilled.

CHILLED BUTTERMILK SOUP

Steps:

• Whisk together buttermilk, sour cream, and salt in a bowl, then stir in remaining ingredients. Chill 15 minutes before serving.

CHILLED CUCUMBER SOUP

Steps:

• Cut 4 thin slices of cucumber; set aside for garnish. Peel and finely chop remaining cucumbers. In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, sour cream, sugar, dill, salt, pepper, green onions and chopped cucumbers. , Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Garnish with cucumber slices and, if desired, fresh dill.