Chilled Orange Borscht Recipes

COLD BORSCHT

Steps:

• Place the beets in an 8-inch-by-8-inch-by-2-inch dish, with the smaller ones toward the center. Cover the dish tightly with microwave-safe plastic wrap. Cook the beets at 100 percent power in a 650- to 700-watt oven for 16 minutes. Prick the plastic to release the steam.
• Remove from the oven and uncover. Allow the beets to stand until cool.
• Wearing rubber gloves to prevent staining your hands, peel and grate the beets. Reserve.
• Combine the vegetable broth, sugar and vinegar in a two-and-one-half-quart souffle dish or casserole with a tightly fitting lid. Cover and cook at 100 percent power for three minutes.
• Remove from the oven and uncover. Stir to dissolve any remaining sugar. Stir in the reserved beets. Refrigerate until cool.
• Stir in the remaining ingredients and season. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

SUMMER BORSCHT

Steps:

• Place the beets in a large pot of boiling salted water and cook uncovered until the beets are tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the beets to a bowl with a slotted spoon and set aside to cool. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine sieve and also set aside to cool.
• In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of the beet cooking liquid, the chicken stock, sour cream, yogurt, sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, 1 tablespoon salt, and the pepper. Peel the cooled beets with a small paring knife or rub the skins off with your hands. Cut the beets in small to medium dice. Add the beets, cucumber, scallions, and dill to the soup. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight. Season, to taste, and serve cold with a dollop of sour cream and an extra sprig of fresh dill.