CHILLED BEET-AND-SAUERKRAUT SOUP WITH HORSERADISH AND CRèME FRAîCHE

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Chilled Beet-and-Sauerkraut Soup With Horseradish and Crème Fraîche image

This recipe - invented by Camino's Russell Moore because he couldn't bring himself to discard the salty, pickly liquid left over from sauerkraut - is often on Camino's menu in the winter. He tells me it is an especially good one to make at home, because so many of us have old jars of sauerkraut cowering in the backs of our refrigerators. If my own refrigerator is any gauge, he is correct.

Provided by Tamar Adler

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

4 or 5 large beets (about 1 3/4 pounds)
Salt to taste
1 large fennel bulb, or 2 or 3 smaller bulbs
1 large yellow onion
8 or 9 cloves garlic
1/2 pound green or savoy cabbage
Olive oil
1 1/2 cups sauerkraut, preferably red sauerkraut, because it looks better
1 cup sauerkraut liquid
Red-wine vinegar
A handful of mushroom butts, tied in cheesecloth or a coffee filter (optional)
Crème fraîche
1 small piece fresh horseradish, peeled
Black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375. Wash the beets, and trim only their stem ends, leaving a little of the stems attached. Crowd beets in a single layer in a roasting pan, season lightly with salt and pour in about an inch of water (less if the beets are small, more if they're large). Cover tightly with aluminum foil, and roast until a skewer slides easily through the beets, about an hour.
  • When the beets are cool enough to handle, peel. Trim away any fibrous root ends, and cut into ½-inch cubes. Clean the fennel, keeping tough outers for another purpose. Dice the fennel and onion into pieces slightly smaller than the beet cubes. Slice the garlic. Slice the cabbage to about the size of the sauerkraut.
  • Set a large pot over medium heat, pour in enough oil to cover its bottom and cook the fennel and onion with a small pinch of salt until they soften. Add the sliced cabbage and garlic, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the beets, sauerkraut and ½ cup of the sauerkraut liquid, then enough water to barely cover. Add a small splash of vinegar and the mushroom butts (if you're using them). Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Chill the soup.
  • Taste the soup, and add remaining sauerkraut juice to season instead of salt. Serve with a spoonful of crème fraîche, a little grated horseradish and a few grinds of black pepper.

Haroon Zazai
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I have made this soup several times and it is always a hit. I love the way the flavors come together. It is a great soup for a cold winter day.


Elaine Wang
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This soup is so easy to make and it is so delicious. I love that I can make it ahead of time and it is always a crowd-pleaser.


Genesis Chiac
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I made this soup for a party and it was a hit! Everyone loved it. I especially liked the fact that it is a cold soup, which is perfect for a summer party.


Uwimana Vedaste
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This soup is delicious! I love the combination of the beets and the sauerkraut. The horseradish and crème fraîche add a nice kick and creaminess. I will definitely be making this soup again.


DarkKablez1
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I have made this soup several times and it is always a hit. I love the way the flavors come together. It is a great soup for a cold winter day.


Mike Fugate
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This soup is so easy to make and it is so delicious. I love that I can make it ahead of time and it is always a crowd-pleaser.


Mir Murtaza Bijrani
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I made this soup for a party and it was a hit! Everyone loved it. I especially liked the fact that it is a cold soup, which is perfect for a summer party.


Md Shagorkhan
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This soup is delicious! I love the combination of the beets and the sauerkraut. The horseradish and crème fraîche add a nice kick and creaminess. I will definitely be making this soup again.


Rachael Wanjiru
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I have made this soup several times and it is always a hit. I love the way the flavors come together. It is a great soup for a cold winter day.


MD fahim bro
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This soup is so easy to make and it is so delicious. I love that I can make it ahead of time and it is always a crowd-pleaser.


Namuenge
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I made this soup for a party and it was a hit! Everyone loved it. I especially liked the fact that it is a cold soup, which is perfect for a summer party.


Heaven Hester
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This soup is amazing! I love the combination of the sweet beets and the sour sauerkraut. The horseradish and crème fraîche add a nice kick and creaminess. I will definitely be making this soup again.