Watermelon Beet Soup Recipes

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.

SWEET-HOT-BEET SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Wrap the beets individually with aluminum foil and roast them in the oven until easily pierced by the tip of a paring knife, about 60 to 70 minutes. When the beets are cool enough to handle, trim the ends, and gently rub off their skins with a paper towel. Cut into 1/4-inch slices, place them in a food processor and pulse, scraping down the sides often, until they are finely chopped, but not completely pureed. Set aside. Place the vegetable oil or clarified butter in a 6 quart soup pot over medium heat and add the onions. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are wilted and translucent, but not browned, about 15 minutes. Add the jalapenos and ginger and continue to cook 5 more minutes. Follow with the ground cumin, coriander, turmeric and chilies and continue stirring until the spices are well cooked, about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the basmati rice until well coated with the oil, season with the salt and pepper, and add the vegetable stock to the pot. Bring the stock to a boil and immediately reduce the heat until the soup just simmers. Allow the soup to cook, covered, until the rice is very tender, about 20 minutes. Using either a blender or an immersion blender process the soup until you have a rich puree. Whisk in the coconut milk and the chopped beets, and return the soup to the fire. Bring the soup slowly back to a boil and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as required. Finish the soup with the honey, if desired, and the garam masala, and serve in warmed bowls with a dollop of yogurt or sour cream and a few sprigs of fresh cilantro.;

WATERMELON SOUP

Steps:

• Blend watermelon, lemon juice, mint, and honey in a blender until smooth. Refrigerate 2 hours before serving.

ROASTED GARLIC AND BEET SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Drizzle beets with olive oil and roast in parchment-lined foil until tender, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, drizzle garlic cloves with oil and roast in separate foil packet, about 30 minutes. Unwrap beets, let cool, peel, and quarter. Squeeze garlic from skin. Set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add leek and cook, stirring, until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Add beets and garlic, thyme, bay leaf, and 3 cups water. Season with salt and pepper.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, 5 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Let cool slightly, then puree in a blender until smooth. Stir in lemon juice and adjust seasoning to taste.