Beets With Chive Cream Recipes

BRAISED BEETS WITH SOUR CREAM AND CHIVES

Steps:

• Peel 2 pounds beets, and chop them into 1-inch chunks; roughly chop the greens.
• Put both in a saucepan with 1 tablespoon butter and 1/2 cup stock.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer.
• Cover, and cook until the beets are tender and the greens wilted, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Boil off any excess liquid; stir in 1/4 cup sour cream, and toss with chopped chives. (This is fantastic served over egg noodles.)

ROASTED BEETS WITH HORSERADISH CREAM

Steps:

• Cut the greens from the beets, leaving about 1 inch of the stems attached, and reserve the greens. Scrub the beets, wrap them tightly in 2 foil packages, and roast them on a baking sheet in the middle of a preheated 350°F. oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until they are tender. Unwrap the beets carefully, discarding any liquid that may have accumulated in the foil, and let them cool until they can be handled. Peel and halve the beets and cut them into 1/4-inch slices.
• In a small bowl stir together the crème fraîche, the horseradish to taste, the zest, and salt and pepper to taste. Wash well and drain the reserved greens, in a large skillet cook them with salt and pepper to taste in 1 tablespoon of the butter over moderately high heat, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes, or until they are wilted, and transfer them to a platter. In the skillet cook the beets with salt and pepper to taste in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter over moderately high heat, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are hot, and spoon them over the greens. Top the beets with the horseradish cream and sprinkle the cream with the chives and salt and pepper to taste.

CHILLED BEET SOUP WITH SOUR CREAM

Steps:

• Bring beets and water to a boil in an 8-quart pot, covered, then reduce heat slightly and cook at a low boil until tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Transfer beets with a slotted spoon to a bowl, reserving liquid in pot. Add carrots, cabbage, celery root, bay leaf, dill sprigs, salt, and pepper to liquid in pot and briskly simmer, partially covered, over moderate heat until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Add vinegar and sugar, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then pour soup through a sieve lined with a dampened paper towel or cheesecloth into a large bowl, discarding solids (you will have about 7 cups broth; if you have less, add enough water to bring total to 7 cups).
• While vegetables cook, peel beets and coarsely grate using large holes of a box grater.
• Slowly whisk 1 cup broth into sour cream in a bowl until blended, then add to soup along with grated beets, chives, and chopped dill. Cool soup completely, uncovered, then chill, covered, until cold, at least 2 hours. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

BEET SOUP WITH TARRAGON, CHIVES AND YOGURT

Steps:

• Put olive oil in a heavy-bottomed soup pot or deep, wide skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cook slowly, stirring, until softened, about 10 minutes.
• Add beets and season generously with salt and pepper. Add a pinch of cayenne and pour in vinegar. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add water and raise heat to a brisk simmer. Taste broth and adjust. Cook for another 10 minutes, until beets are completely soft.
• Purée in a blender, in batches if necessary, and strain through a fine-mesh sieve. (Consistency should be like heavy cream, no thicker - thin with water or broth as necessary). Return puréed soup to pot and reheat. In a small bowl, combine yogurt with tarragon and chives. Add a good pinch of salt and beat with a fork to loosen yogurt.
• Taste soup, and adjust for salt and vinegar. Ladle into individual bowls. Swirl a large (2 to 3 tablespoons) spoonful of herbed yogurt across the surface of the soup.