Two Beet Recipes
Discover the rustic charm of two classic Russian beet dishes. The first is a hearty Vinegret, a crunchy salad where earthy beets meet tangy pickles, waxy potatoes, and sharp onions, all bound by olive oil. The second is Svekolnik, a refreshing cold beet soup that’s ideal for hot weather. Made with tender boiled beets and their vibrant greens, this soup is finished with a dollop of yogurt or kefir for a creamy, tangy contrast. These recipes celebrate the humble beet, transforming it into comforting sides that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Perfect for picnics, summer barbecues, or a light, nutritious lunch.
Description
Discover the rustic charm of two classic Russian beet dishes. The first is a hearty Vinegret, a crunchy salad where earthy beets meet tangy pickles, waxy potatoes, and sharp onions, all bound by olive oil. The second is Svekolnik, a refreshing cold beet soup that’s ideal for hot weather. Made with tender boiled beets and their vibrant greens, this soup is finished with a dollop of yogurt or kefir for a creamy, tangy contrast. These recipes celebrate the humble beet, transforming it into comforting sides that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Perfect for picnics, summer barbecues, or a light, nutritious lunch.
Ingredients
- You will need a bunch of beets *with greens* for this soup.
- refrigerator. Boil 1-2 eggs, cut them and a cucumber into small pieces,
- mix and store separately. Serve cold. Before serving, add eggs and cucumber
- to the soup (as much as you like; for me 2 eggs make 3-4 servings).
Directions
- 1 For the Vinegret: Boil a couple of average beet roots, potatoes, and carrots until tender.
- 2
Peel the boiled vegetables and cut them into small, uniform cubes.- 3
Finely chop one raw onion. Soak it in cold water for a few minutes if you prefer a milder flavor.- 4
Cut 1-2 sweet pickles into small cubes.- 5
Mix the beets, potatoes, carrots, onion, and pickles together in a large bowl.- 6
Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and vinegar to taste. Toss well and chill before serving.- 7
For the Svekolnik: Peel beet roots and boil until almost done. Add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to the water to preserve the deep red color.- 8
Add chopped beet greens to the boiling water and cook until soft.- 9
Shred the boiled beet roots into the soup (don't shred too finely).- 10
Cool the soup completely. Refrigerate until cold.- 11
Serve the chilled soup with a dollop of plain yogurt, light sour cream, or kefir on top.NoteStorage: The Vinegret salad tastes better if prepared a day in advance, allowing flavors to meld. Store in the refrigerator.
Substitutions: For the soup, if you cannot find kefir, plain Greek yogurt or buttermilk are excellent alternatives.
Variations: You can add dill or parsley to the soup for extra freshness. Hard-boiled eggs and cucumber can be added to the soup just before serving for extra texture.
Tip: To remove beet skin easily, rub the boiled beets with a paper towel or plunge them in ice water briefly.
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