Beet Soup with Truffle Oil

Beet Soup

White Truffle Oil

Crème Fraîche

Cover the beets with water. Bring to boil then simmer until very tender. When beets are cool enough to handle; trim, peel and slice.

Strain the beet cooking liquid through a coffee filter, reserve.

While the beets cook, bring stock to a boil in a large soup pot. Add carrot, cabbage, onion, garlic, tomato, bay leaves. Simmer for 30 minutes.

Approximate Quantities:

• 4 or 5 beets
  
• 1 chopped head cabbage
  
• 1 sliced medium onion
  
• 4 sliced carrots
  
• 7 crushed garlic cloves
  
• 2 bay leaves
  
• 1 bunch dill
  
• 1 large can seeded peeled tomatoes
  
• 8 c. stock ((beef or vegetable)
  
• sugar, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper to taste
  
• truffle oil and crème fraîche for garnish

After about 30 minutes, add sliced beets, beet liquid, and a bunch of dill. And red wine vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for another 15 minutes. Remove bay. Purée with an immersion blender. Adjust seasonings.

Serve hot or cold. Drizzle crème fraîche, white truffle oil, dill sprig garnish. In the last post, I was pondering the value of "optional" ingredients. The truffle oil here is not optional. It is what makes this soup special!

One of the best wine pairings I can remember was enjoyed at Chef Nancy Oakes' Boulevard in San Francisco where Chioggia beets (Italian heirloom variety) were paired with a fruity flavorful red wine from Brouilly. Definitely try this soup with a Brouilly if you can find one, if not, try a more readily available Beaujolais.

Delightful Color, Cheery Garnish

Highly Nutritious

Delicious Deep Earthy Flavors