CHILLED CUCUMBER SOUP WITH ROASTED BABY BEETS

Chilled Cucumber Soup with Roasted Baby Beets image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Number Of Ingredients 10

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3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 small onions, cut into 1/4-inch dice
4 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
3/4 cup water
3 large cucumbers, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and cut into 1-inch-thick pieces (4 1/2 cups)
1 1/2 cups plain whole-milk yogurt
6 baby beets (red, golden, or a combination)
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for sprinkling
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Steps:

Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, garlic, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup water. Cover, and cook until soft, about 2 minutes. Let stand until cool.
Place onion mixture and cucumbers in a food processor, and process until smooth. Add yogurt, 1 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/2 cup water, and process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours, or overnight.
Meanwhile, make the beets: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a piece of foil with parchment. Place beets in center, drizzle with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Fold parchment and foil over beets, crimping along edges to create a packet. Place on a baking sheet, and roast until beets can be pierced easily with the tip of a knife, about 45 minutes. Remove from oven, and let stand until cool enough to handle, about 30 minutes. Rub skins off beets with a paper towel. Cut beets into 1/2-inch cubes, 1/2-inch-thick wedges, or a combination. (Beets will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to 2 days.)
Stir parsley and lemon juice into chilled soup. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among 8 bowls. Garnish with beets and sprinkle with parsley just before serving.