Chill Beet Delight: Cold Beet Soup with Shrimp and Potatoes
This refreshing Chlodnik is a delightful cold beet soup that combines the earthiness of beets with the sweetness of shrimp and the creaminess of sour cream. Perfect for summer gatherings, this dish is not only visually stunning with its vibrant color but also packed with flavor from fresh vegetables and herbs. Each bowl offers a harmonious balance of tangy lemon juice, dill aroma, and the satisfying texture of tender potatoes. Ideal as a light appetizer or a stand-alone meal, serve this chilled soup with a side of crusty bread for a complete experience.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
beet
1 lb (Grated)
raw shrimp
1 lb (Peeled and coarsely chopped)
water
8 cups (For boiling)
sour cream
1 cup
chopped dill
4 tablespoons
red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons
fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons
sliced lemon
1 (For garnish)
sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons
green onions
4 (Sliced)
radishes
4 (Sliced)
hard-boiled eggs
3 (Chopped)
potatoes
3 (Peeled and diced)
cucumbers
2 (Peeled and seeded, diced)
salt and pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
Grate the beets and place them in an earthenware container with 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar. Allow them to marinate for one hour.
2
Meanwhile, peel and dice the potatoes and other vegetables (excluding the beets). In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the diced potatoes until tender, then drain and set aside.
3
In another saucepan, add the marinated beets, cover with 8 cups of water, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
4
After 10 minutes, add a pinch of salt and 1 teaspoon of sugar, and continue cooking for another 10 minutes.
5
Once cooked, drain the beets, reserving the cooking liquid for the soup.
6
In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the peeled shrimp and cook until they turn pink and opaque (about 2-3 minutes). Drain the shrimp, then chop them coarsely.
7
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the reserved beet cooking liquid and sour cream. Stir in the grated beets, diced radish, green onion, cucumbers, cooked potatoes, chopped shrimp, lemon juice, dill, and remaining tablespoon of red wine vinegar.
8
Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours to chill and allow flavors to meld.
9
When ready to serve, ladle the chilled soup into bowls, garnish each with dill fronds, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and lemon slices if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chill Beet Delight?
Chill Beet Delight is a refreshing cold beet soup, also known as Chlodnik, that combines beets, shrimp, and potatoes in a creamy base.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 4 servings.
How long should the beets marinate?
The grated beets should marinate in red wine vinegar for one hour before cooking.
What is the primary liquid base for the soup?
The soup base is made by whisking together the reserved beet cooking liquid and sour cream.
How long do you cook the shrimp?
The peeled shrimp should be boiled for about 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque.
What type of vinegar is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar in total.
How should the potatoes be prepared?
Potatoes should be peeled, diced, and boiled in salted water until tender.
What vegetables are included in this soup?
The soup includes beets, potatoes, radishes, green onions, and cucumbers.
How long should the soup chill before serving?
The soup should be covered and refrigerated for at least two hours to allow the flavors to meld.
What is used to garnish the soup?
Garnish each bowl with dill fronds, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and lemon slices.
Is this soup served hot or cold?
This is a cold soup, perfect for summer gatherings.
How do you prepare the cucumbers?
Cucumbers should be peeled, seeded, and diced before being added to the soup.
Does the recipe require sugar?
Yes, a total of 1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar is used to balance the flavors.
What herbs are used in this dish?
The recipe uses 4 tablespoons of chopped dill, plus extra dill fronds for garnish.
How many eggs are needed for the garnish?
The recipe calls for 3 chopped hard-boiled eggs.
What gives the soup its vibrant color?
The vibrant pink color comes from mixing the dark red beet cooking liquid with white sour cream.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, it is recommended to prepare it at least two hours in advance so it can chill thoroughly.
How much water is needed to boil the beets?
The beets should be covered with 8 cups of water for boiling.
What is the origin of this type of soup?
This dish is a variation of Polish Chlodnik, a traditional cold beet soup.
How many green onions should I use?
The recipe calls for 4 sliced green onions.
Do you drain the beet water after cooking?
You drain the beets but you must reserve the cooking liquid, as it forms the base of the soup.
What size should the shrimp be chopped?
The cooked shrimp should be chopped coarsely.
How many radishes are in the recipe?
The recipe uses 4 sliced radishes.
Is lemon juice added to the soup?
Yes, 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice are stirred into the soup mixture.
How long do the beets simmer?
The beets simmer for a total of 20 minutes: 10 minutes alone and 10 minutes with salt and sugar.
What is the texture of the beets?
The beets are grated, providing a fine, consistent texture throughout the soup.
What should I serve with this soup?
It is ideal to serve this chilled soup with a side of crusty bread.
Is there salt and pepper in the recipe?
Yes, salt and pepper are added to taste during the final seasoning step.
How much sour cream is required?
The recipe uses 1 cup of sour cream.
Is this a healthy recipe?
Yes, it is a healthy soup packed with fresh vegetables, herbs, and lean protein from shrimp.