Few soups are as eye-catching as Lithuania’s famous Šaltibarščiai (shull-tee-barsh-chay). It is a bowl of bright-pink goodness that’s as refreshing as it is beautiful. Made with beets, cool yogurt, crisp cucumbers, fresh dill and topped with a hard-boiled egg, this chilled soup is the perfect answer to a hot summer day.
It comes together in minutes, tastes even better after a few hours in the refrigerator, and makes a light lunch or elegant first course.
Ingredients
2 cups cooked beets, finely diced or grated (No time? You can use canned or jarred)
2 cups plain Greek yogurt (or plain whole-milk yogurt)
1–1½ cups cold water (or buttermilk for a more traditional version)
2 cucumbers (or 1 English cucumber), finely diced
3–4 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
2 green onions, thinly sliced (optional)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 hard-boiled eggs, halved
Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt and cold water (or buttermilk) until smooth.
Use an emulsifier or elbow grease to stir in the diced beets and half the cucumbers.
Add the rest of the cucumbers, dill, green onions, and lemon juice, stirring by hand.
Season generously with salt and pepper.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld.
Serve well-chilled with half of a hard-boiled egg in each bowl and an extra sprinkle of fresh dill.
Noshing Notes
For the brightest color, grate the beets rather than chopping them.
Traditional Lithuanian versions often use kefir or buttermilk instead of yogurt, giving the soup a lighter, tangier flavor. This soup is meant to be ice cold, making it one of the most refreshing dishes of summer.
Pairs Well With
Warm bread, light white wine and a side of boiled potatoes.
Waste Not Want Not
Leftover soup keeps beautifully for up to three days and often tastes even better the next day. Try using any extra as a colorful sauce for roasted potatoes or alongside grilled salmon or chicken the next day.
Cybele is a writer and editor with more than 16 years in the publishing industry. An avid reader, you can usually find her with the latest new book release from the local library. She currently resides on a farm in Hardwick with her husband and four children. In her spare time, she writes historical fiction specific to New Jersey.
- Cybele Tamulonis, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/cybele-tamulonis-contributing-writer/
- Cybele Tamulonis, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/cybele-tamulonis-contributing-writer/
- Cybele Tamulonis, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/cybele-tamulonis-contributing-writer/
- Cybele Tamulonis, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/cybele-tamulonis-contributing-writer/
