Beet the heat with Summer Borscht from Samarkand, Recipes & Stories from Central Asia & the Caucasus (Kyle Books, June 2016) by Caroline Eden and Eleanor Ford.
Summer Borscht with Sour Cream and Chives
Serves 4
4 beets, peeled and coarsely chopped
3 carrots, coarsely chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 small onion, coarsely chopped
1 (14-ounce) can chopped tomatoes
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 bay leaf
4 black peppercorns
2 cloves
1 teaspoon sugar
sea salt
To serve:
lemon juice
sour cream
snipped chives
This is an elegant version of borscht, a clear, rubyhued broth served chilled, rather than the heartier beet soups suited to the long winter months. If you have made Rye Bread Kvas (see page 177), try adding a splash to the finished soup.
Put the vegetables and aromatics into a large pan and cover with
5 cups of cold water. Season with the sugar and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook for 40 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve, reserving the broth and discarding the vegetables (which will have lost their flavor). Let cool, then taste for seasoning. A squeeze of lemon juice will brighten the flavor.
Serve the broth chilled, with a dollop of sour cream and a scattering of chives.
(^Recipe reproduced with permission from Samarkand, Recipes & Stories from Central Asia & the Caucasus (Kyle Books, June 2016) by Caroline Eden, Eleanor Ford)