Beet Soup With Cilantro Pesto Recipes

BEET SOUP WITH GREENS, APPLE SALAD AND CILANTRO-WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• To make the soup, place beets and broth in a large pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until tender, about 1 hour. Drain, reserving broth. When cool enough to handle, slip skins off beets. Set aside 2 beets. Place half of the remaining beets in a food processor. Measure broth and add enough water, if necessary, to make 9 cups. Add half of broth to beets and puree until smooth. Repeat with remaining beets and broth. Combine batches and stir in salt and pepper. Reheat before serving and stir in lemon juice and more salt, if needed.
• To make the beet greens, heat 1 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the beet greens and saute for 10 minutes. Add 1/3 cup of water, cover and cook until tender, about 10 minutes more. Coarsely grate the reserved beets and stir into the greens with 1 1/2 teaspoons of oil, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, pepper and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring often, until caramelized, about 15 minutes. Stir in the apple, walnut oil, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, parsley, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Place the cilantro, walnuts and 1/2 cup of olive oil in a food processor and process until smooth. Add3/4 teaspoon of salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons of lemon juice.
• Place the beet green mixture, the apple mixture, the pesto and the sour cream in separate bowls. Ladle the soup into bowls. Serve, passing the condiments separately.

ROASTED BEETS AND BABY GREENS WITH CORINADER VINAIGRETTE AND CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• For vinaigrette:
• Stir coriander in small skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 4 minutes. Cool. Coarsely grind coriander in mortar with pestle or in spice mill. Transfer to small bowl. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium heat. Add shallots; sauté until soft, about 3 minutes. Transfer to bowl with coriander. Add vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Gradually whisk in 7 tablespoons oil. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill; discard garlic after 1 hour. Let vinaigrette stand at room temperature 1 hour before using.)
• For pesto:
• Puree first 9 ingredients in blender until smooth. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Reblend before continuing.) Whisk in lime juice.
• For beets:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Wash and dry beets. Cut off beet greens 1 inch from top of beets; reserve for another use. Rub beets with oil. Place light-colored beets in 1 roasting pan and red beets in another; sprinkle with coarse salt. Cover pans tightly with foil. Roast until beets are just tender, about 55 minutes. Cool slightly. Using towel, rub off peel and stems from beets. Cut beets in half. Place light-colored beets and red beets in 2 separate bowls. Toss beets in each bowl with 2 tablespoons vinaigrette. Let stand 30 minutes. Toss lettuces in bowl with some of vinaigrette to coat lightly; divide among plates and top with beets. Drizzle pesto around salads and serve.

ALBONDIGAS SOUP WITH CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• Place the rice in a heatproof bowl. Bring the water to a boil and pour it over the rice. Let soak for 40 minutes, then drain; set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a sauté pan over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil. Add 1 of the diced onions and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool.
• In a bowl, combine the pork, beef, cooled onion, soaked rice, egg, cumin, oregano, 3/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper. Using your hands, mix well and form into 1-inch balls.
• In a large soup pot over medium heat, warm the remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Add the remaining diced onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, zucchini, carrots and tomatoes and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock, stir well and bring to a boil. Carefully slip the meatballs into the pot, reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered until the meatballs are fully cooked, about 45 minutes. Stir in the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
• While the soup simmers, make the cilantro pesto: In a mini food processor or a blender, combine the cilantro, mint, lime juice, olive oil, water and salt. Process to a paste.
• Ladle the soup into warmed soup bowls and top each serving with a dollop of cilantro pesto. Serve at once.