Chłodnik z Botwinki (Cold Beet Greens Soup)

Yes, I know. Right now the blogs are full of recipes for chłodnik (a Polish cold soup) and botwinka (a warm soup made from young beet greens). But I just couldn't leave it out here. The beets are growing beautifully in my garden, and they were practically begging to be turned into chłodnik. There was even enough left over for botwinka (recipe coming soon), and the rest are quietly growing on.

As a kid, I didn't like chłodnik, or any soup with leaves floating in it. Today I'm wiser and I know what's good :) Luckily my kids eat everything, and they gobble up the leaves very happily.

chłodnik with beet greens

For me, this chłodnik is the perfect soup for a hot day. It's light, quick and delicate, and the color makes you want to eat it. Isn't it gorgeous? My only problem is the name, because I don't know whether this is already a Lithuanian chłodnik or simply a chłodnik with beet greens. Or maybe there's no difference?

Instead of chard you can use sorrel.

beet greens

The recipe is inspired by two recipes, one by OliCruz and one by R. Makłowicz

Instructions

Wash and chop the beet greens. Peel the beets (if they're really small, you don't have to) and cut them into small cubes. Add about ½-1 cup of water and the lemon juice (it helps the beets keep their color), and cook for about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool. Press in the garlic and stir. Mix with the yogurt, add the finely chopped dill and chives and the cucumber cut into tiny cubes, season to taste (you can add more lemon juice if you like), and refrigerate for at least half an hour. Serve with a hard-boiled egg.

Enjoy!