Chilled soups are great choice for a meal during the hot summer. The following borscht recipe is not only delicious but also nutritious as its base of beets has many health benefits. What type of benefits you may ask?  Well, beets are a rich source of energy, as they are full of fiber and nutrients that include: potassium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, vitamin C, and folate in large quantities; and copper, calcium, selenium, sodium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin B6, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin in small amounts. Beets also contain anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties such as betaine and betacyanin. Beets are an incredible superfood, and incorporating them in your diet will definitely boost your immune system.

This heart healthy, refreshing, cold soup is a recipe sure to beat the summer heat and will become a favorite of your family and friends. Enjoy!
 
Yield: Serves 6

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds red beets, scrubbed and stalks trimmed to 1/2 inch
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 carrots
1 leek, trimmed of tough green ends and coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1/4 cup fresh dill, loosely packed
1/4 cup white wine
1 3/4 cups Homemade Chicken Stock, or canned low-sodium chicken broth, skimmed of fat
1/2 small cucumber, peeled and seeded
6 tablespoons creme fraiche or sour cream, (optional)
6 teaspoons red-wine vinegar, (optional)

Directions
 
Fill a medium saucepan with water, and bring to a boil. Add beets, and boil until beets are fork-tender, about 45 minutes. Drain beets, reserving cooking water, and let stand until cool enough to handle. Rub off skins.

Heat olive oil in a medium stockpot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Coarsely chop 1 1/2 carrots, and add to stockpot. Add leek, salt, and pepper. Coarsely chop half of the dill, and add to stockpot. Cook until carrots are almost tender, about 10 minutes.

Cut beets into 1-inch chunks, and add to stockpot. Add wine, 2 cups of the reserved cooking liquid, and chicken stock. Let simmer until broth is flavorful, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Remove the stockpot from heat, and transfer hot soup to a large bowl. Set bowl in ice-water bath to cool; skim off any fat.

Using the small hole of a box grater, grate remaining 1/2 carrot and cucumber. Serve soup with a dollop of creme fraiche, if desired, garnished with grated carrot, grated cucumber, and remaining fresh dill.

Give each serving a splash of red-wine vinegar, if desired.

Cooks' notes

Vegetable stock may be substituted for chicken stock.