Description
Crimson Polish beet soup dazzles with its rich, earthy flavors and velvety texture. Hearty comfort meets elegant simplicity, inviting warm gatherings around steaming bowls of this classic comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 3 medium beets, peeled and chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 1 small potato, diced (optional, for a thicker soup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Fats:
- 4 cups (1 liter) vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) sour cream or Greek yogurt (for serving, optional)
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried dill (or fresh for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over moderate flame, creating a fragrant base for the soup.
- Gently introduce chopped onions, carrots, and minced garlic, allowing them to soften and release their aromatic essence for approximately five minutes.
- Incorporate diced beets into the vegetable mixture, stirring to ensure even coating and distribution of flavors.
- Pour in vegetable broth, creating a rich liquid foundation that will transform the ingredients into a vibrant soup.
- Sprinkle dried thyme and season with salt and pepper, letting the herbs infuse depth and complexity into the developing dish.
- Increase heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer, covering the pot to allow ingredients to meld and tenderize.
- Let the soup simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the beets become completely tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Remove from heat and carefully transfer the soup to a blender, processing until smooth and velvety.
- Return the puréed soup to the pot, adjusting consistency with additional broth if needed.
- Taste and fine-tune seasoning, adding more salt or pepper to enhance the natural sweetness of the beets.
- Ladle into serving bowls and garnish with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt, creating a beautiful contrast against the deep crimson soup.
Notes
- Choose fresh, firm beets with vibrant green tops for the most flavor and nutrition.
- Roast beets beforehand to enhance their natural sweetness and create a deeper, more caramelized taste profile.
- Swap dairy cream with coconut milk for a vegan-friendly version that adds a subtle tropical richness to the soup.
- Use an immersion blender directly in the pot for smoother texture and easier cleanup compared to transferring to a traditional blender.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg