FRENCH COLD BEET SOUP

French Cold Beet Soup image

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 pounds raw beets (about 4)
1 pound onions (2 medium)
2 cloves garlic, peeled and left whole
1 tablespoon sugar
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup sour cream, crème fraîche, or good yogurt
4 tablespoons fresh dill, chervil, or mint cut into chiffonade

Steps:

Peel the beets and the onions. Cut them into chunks, and toss them together in a large soup pot. Pour in about 2 quarts of water, or enough to cover the vegetables by an inch or so. Add the garlic, sugar, and salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, skimming the surface of any impurities that rise. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for about an hour, or until the beets are cooked.
When the soup has cooled off, ladle the vegetables and some of their broth into a blender, and purée to the consistency of a thick soup. Stir in the vinegar. Adjust the thickness and seasoning of the soup to your taste, adding more beet broth if you want a thinner soup. Serve cold in soup bowls with a dollop of the sour cream, crème fraîche, or yogurt and a sprinkle of the dill, chervil, or mint.