COOL LITHUANIAN CHŁODNIK FOR HOT DAYS

The name chłodnik comes from the word chłód (cold), which perfectly exemplifies that the purpose of this popular soup is to cool you down on a hot summer’s day.

Chłodnik is traditionally made from beetroot with the addition of yoghurt, crunchy vegetables and, most importantly, it’s served straight from the fridge. In Mazowsze, we mostly eat it with hard-boiled eggs, yet for this Lithuanian version I’ve added some cold smoked chicken breast instead. As this soup originates from Lithuania, I have honoured its roots, but feel free to swap the chicken breast for hard-boiled eggs. {Serves 8–10}

1 kg (2 lb 3 oz) young beetroot (beet), with stalks

2 litres (4 pints/8½ cups) water

large bunch of radishes, diced

1 large cucumber, peeled and diced

bunch of dill, finely chopped

bunch of chives, finely chopped, plus extra to garnish

250 ml (8 fl oz/1 cup) soured cream

250 ml (8 fl oz/1 cup) natural yoghurt

juice of 1 lemon

caster (superfine) sugar, to taste

salt and white pepper, to taste

sliced smoked chicken breast, to serve

Finely chop the beetroot, including the stalks. Add to a large pan with the water and place over a high heat. As soon as it comes to a simmer reduce the heat and cook for about 40 minutes, until the beetroot is tender when pierced with a knife. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for about 1–1½ hours.

When cool, add the radishes, cucumber, dill and chives to the pan. In a separate bowl, mix together the soured cream, yoghurt and lemon juice and then stir into the pan. Season to taste with sugar, salt and pepper. (I usually add the same amount of salt and sugar and just a bit of pepper but it is important that you taste and adjust to your liking.) Mix everything thoroughly. Transfer to a serving bowl and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.

To serve, pour the chilled soup into each bowl, then top with sliced smoked chicken and some reserved chives. You can also use hard-boiled eggs, in place of the smoked chicken to top the soup.

{Time: 1 hour, plus cooling time}