Refreshing Beetroot Summer Soup

This delightful and refreshing beetroot summer soup is a vibrant and colorful dish perfect for warm days. With its enticing combination of beets, boiled eggs, potatoes, and a variety of fresh vegetables, it offers a tantalizing mix of flavors. The addition of dill and green onions adds an aromatic touch, while the creaminess of sour cream and kefir balances the zest of lemon. This chilled soup is excellent for a light lunch or as an appetizer. It requires easy-to-find ingredients and can be easily adapted for different dietary preferences. Moreover, it's an ideal make-ahead dish, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully while chilling. Experience a healthy and invigorating taste of summer with this exquisite soup.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

3 large beetroot
3 eggs
3 medium potatoes
A small bunch of dill
A small bunch of green onions
1 tomato
1 fresh cucumber
A few lettuce leaves

Spices and Sauces:

1 lemon or lemon juice (to taste)
3 tablespoons sour cream
2 cups kefir
1 cup water
Salt (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)

Preparation Time

Total Time: Approximately 50 minutes (including prepping and cooking time)

Step-by-Step Instruction

Prepare the Beets and Potatoes: Start by boiling the beets until tender. Allow them to cool, then peel and grate them. Simultaneously, boil potatoes until they are just tender. Once cooled, cut them into bite-sized pieces.
Prepare the Eggs: While the beets and potatoes are cooking, boil the eggs until hard. Cool them under cold water, peel, and dice into small pieces.
Chop Fresh Ingredients: Finely chop the dill and green onions. Dice the tomato and cucumber into small cubes for a fresh and crunchy texture. Also, slice the lettuce leaves thinly.
Add Citrus Zing: Slice the lemon into thin rounds or extract the juice if you prefer. This will add a refreshing zest to the soup.
Combine the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine grated beetroot, diced eggs, boiled potatoes, chopped herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce.
Seasoning: Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper according to your taste preference.
Add Creaminess: Add a few tablespoons of sour cream to the mixture for a rich texture.
Liquid Elements: Pour kefir and water into the bowl in a 2:1 ratio, ensuring everything is immersed and mixed well.
Chill and Serve: Stir the mixture thoroughly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld and chill.
Final Touch: Garnish with a sprig of dill or a slice of lemon before serving for an extra burst of flavor.

Tips

Substitutions: Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a tangier flavor.
Make it Vegan: Replace kefir with coconut yogurt for a vegan version.
Enhance Flavor: Allowing the soup to chill overnight deepens the flavors.

Nutritions

Calories: Approximately 120 per serving
Protein: 4g
Fats: 3g
Carbs: 18g

Variations

Spicy Twist: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for those who prefer a spicy kick.
Herbal Infusion: Experiment with adding fresh mint or basil for additional herbal notes.

Serving Suggestions

Pair with crusty bread or rye crackers for a satisfying meal.
Serve with a side salad drizzled with lemon vinaigrette for a complete lunch.

Best Places

Café Sēta - Offers authentic Latvian dishes with a modern twist. Location: Tirgoņu iela 9, Riga, Latvia.
Noma New Nordic - A world-renowned establishment focused on Nordic cuisine. Location: Refshalevej 96, 1432 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Toscana Taste - Known for its seasonal menus and fresh ingredients. Location: Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 50123 Florence, Italy.
Bluestone Lane - Chic spot for Aussie-style salads and fresh offerings. Location: 55 W 27th St, New York, USA.
The Greenhouse - Celebrates local flavors with a gourmet approach. Location: Dawros Teer, Letterfrack, Co. Galway, Ireland.
Summerhouse Café - Offers a diverse range of smoothies and light soups. Location: A-15, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi, India.
Nord Social Dining - Specializes in communal dining with fresh ingredients. Location: Dronningens Tværgade 2, 1302 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Gastrobar Encuentro - Features a variety of chilled and innovative dishes. Location: Calle Iturrama, 15, 31007 Pamplona, Spain.
The Foodbarn - A casual yet elegant setting offering fine cuisine. Location: Noordhoek Farm Village, Cape Town, South Africa.
Husk - Known for its modern approach to Southern cuisine. Location: 76 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA.