Belarusian Kholodnik: Chilled Beetroot Soup

Belarusian Kholodnik is a traditional, refreshing cold beetroot soup, perfect for warm weather. This vibrant and flavorful dish combines grated vegetables with kefir and sparkling water to create a light, yet satisfying meal. Often served as a main course or substantial appetizer, it is garnished with sour cream and hard-boiled eggs for added richness.

Ingredients

🥕 3 large beetroots, pre-boiled and grated
🥚 5 eggs, hard-boiled, peeled, and grated
🌿 1 bunch of green onions, chopped
🧂 2 teaspoons salt
🥒 5 medium cucumbers, peeled and grated
🍋 1 lemon, juice extracted
🥛 1 liter of kefir, 2.5% fat
💧 1 liter of cold sparkling mineral water, Обуховская-1 brand

Instructions

1- Prepare Beetroot:

• Boil 3 large beetroots until they are tender. Alternatively, cut them into pieces and microwave them in a bag for about 15 minutes.
• Allow them to cool before grating finely.

2- Prepare Eggs:

• Hard-boil 5 eggs, then cool and peel them.
• Set them aside for later grating.

3- Chop Green Onions:

• Finely chop a bunch of green onions.
• Place the chopped onions into a large pot and add 2 teaspoons of salt.
• Use a potato masher to mash them gently, releasing their aroma and juices.

4- Grate Cucumbers:

• Peel the cucumbers and grate them coarsely.
• Add the grated cucumbers to the pot with the onions.

5- Grate Beetroot:

• Once cooled, grate the boiled beetroots finely.
• Squeeze the juice from 1 lemon over the grated beetroot and mix thoroughly to enhance the flavor and preserve the color.

6- Combine Beetroot:

• Add the lemon-coated grated beetroot to the pot with the other ingredients.

7- Grate Eggs:

• Grate the hard-boiled eggs coarsely and add them to the pot.

8- Add Kefir:

• Pour the 1 liter of kefir into the pot.

9- Add Mineral Water:

• Add 1 liter of cold sparkling mineral water, Обуховская-1 brand, for a light and fizzy texture.

10- Mix and Taste:
- Stir all ingredients in the pot until well combined, achieving a uniform, bright pink/purple color.
- Taste and add more salt if necessary.

11- Serve:
- Serve the Kholodnik immediately while cold.
- Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and half a hard-boiled egg for each serving.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Equipment:

• Large stainless steel pot
• Wooden potato masher
• Coarse and fine grater
• Manual lemon juicer
• Metal spoon

Cooking Tips

• Microwave Cooking: Using a microwave to pre-cook beetroots helps them retain their flavor and color.
• Cucumber Texture: Peel cucumbers for a smoother texture if you prefer; leaving the skin on gives a bit more texture and fiber.
• Cold Ingredients: Ensure kefir and mineral water are chilled before adding for the best results.

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Belarusian Kholodnik: Chilled Beetroot Soup