Click here for my new improved version of this soup
On a recent trip to Poland, I tried a new cold soup. Chlodnik (google translate says it something like klav-NEEK). I suspect there are as many versions of this recipe as there are kitchens in Poland. This recipe is based on the soup I had in a restaurant, verbal instructions provided by two Polish friends, and common threads in the many versions available online.
As with any soup recipe, use this as a starting point, adding more of what you like and leaving out or making substitutions for those ingredients you’re not so fond of.
As you can see, the color is the most prominent feature of this dish. The beets give it a shade of pink that could more rightly be called magenta or fuchsia.
I hope you’ll give this soup a try. Just remember to make it early, giving it time to chill. It’s light, refreshing, and just a little bit tart. There seems to be something virtuous about adding this often overlooked vegetable to one’s diet.
Ingredients
2 bunches beets, trimmed, peeled, and diced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable or chicken stock
1 cup kosher dill pickle brine
3 cups buttermilk
1 cup sour cream
2 cups plain yogurt
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
2 kosher dill pickles, diced
1 bunch radishes, trimmed and diced
2 green onions, sliced
3 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped
Directions
- Place beets (about 5 cups) in a saucepan. Add just enough water to cover; add salt. Simmer gently until tender. A rolling boil may cause the soup to lose its bright color. Do not drain. Cool.
- Stir in remaining ingredients. Chill. You’re now ready to serve – as is, a little chunky, or process in a blender for a few seconds for a finer consistency.
- Garnish with a bit of sour cream or yogurt and a sprinkle of dill or chive. Some cooks like to add hard-boiled eggs at this point. They may be thinly slices, quartered lengthwise, or finely diced.
Serves 8 – 10
An accountant by trade and a food blogger since 2009, Lois Britton fell in love with Polish cuisine during the years she lived in Poznań, Poland. As the creator of PolishHousewife.com, she loves connecting readers with traditional Polish recipes. Lois has a graduate certificate in Food Writing and Photography from the University of South Florida. She is the author of The Polish Housewife Cookbook, available on Amazon and on her website.
Vicki
This is one gorgeous soup!
faithy, the baker
Interesting! I’ve never had beet soup before.. would love to try that.. or wait..i’ve tried Borscht soup before though and i love it, does this taste like that?
Lois B
Vicki – thanks, and vegetarian!
Faithy – It’s similar to borscht, but cold and creamy. It’s the summer version of beet soup and I think borscht is the winter version.
Grover Carey
Thanks for the recipe. The pronuciation should be something like this:
1st syllable
Chwod (Where the “ch” is a soft k, like the Scottish “loch” and the “wod” is wad as in a wad of chewing gum).
2nd syllable
Neek (as in meek or leek or geek)
So: Ch-wad-neek
teresa
I think should be added fresh chopped parsley.