COLD CHERRY BORSCHT

Cold Cherry Borscht image

Because this looks so much like a beet borscht, I decided to call it a cherry borscht. Cherries are a terrific source of two phytochemicals, quercetin and ellagic acid, that may have antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties. The anthocyanins that give the fruit its red color are thought to have anti-inflammatory properties as well. It's worth noting that the Environmental Working Group found a great number of pesticide residues on conventionally grown cherries, so seek out cherries that are grown locally by small farmers.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories dinner, weekday, soups and stews, appetizer

Time 20m

Yield Serves six to eight

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds cherries, such as bing cherries, stemmed
3 cups water
1 rose geranium sprig (optional)
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons finely chopped lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/3 cups plain low-fat yogurt

Steps:

Set aside 18 cherries. Pit the remaining cherries, holding them over a bowl to catch the juices. Place the pitted cherries in the bowl with the juices, and place the pits in a small saucepan. Add 1 cup of the water, the rose geranium sprig, the sugar and the lemon zest. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 5 minutes. Strain the liquid in the saucepan into the bowl with the pitted cherries. Discard the pits.
Transfer the cherries and liquid to a large saucepan and bring to a simmer. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
Working in batches and covering the blender top with a kitchen towel to avoid hot splashes, puree the soup, about 1 1/2 cups at a time. Strain through a medium strainer into a bowl, pushing the soup through with the back of a ladle or with a rubber spatula. Stir in the almond extract, a pinch of salt and the lemon juice. Chill the soup by placing the bowl in a larger bowl of ice water, or refrigerate.
When the soup has chilled, whisk in the yogurt. Taste and add more lemon juice if desired.
Serve garnished with the cherries you set aside.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 136, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 31 grams, Fat 1 gram, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 69 milligrams, Sugar 26 grams