Cold Beet Soup with Honeyed Ricotta

Preparation

1. In a large pot over high heat, combine stock, beets, rosemary, and thyme. Bring to a boil and cook beets until very tender, about 25 minutes. Once beets are cooked, allow to cool. Blend soup until very smooth and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until chilled.
2. In a small bowl, mix together ricotta, yogurt, and honey. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside to chill.
3. In a small pot, bring balsamic vinegar to a simmer. Reduce by half. Set aside to cool.
4. When you are ready to eat, serve each bowl of beet soup with a dollop of ricotta mixture swirled in, and a drizzle of the reduced balsamic vinegar.

Lily Mcclure, Drexel Food Lab

Ann's Tips and Tricks

You can make the soup ahead of time up to the end of step 1 and freeze it in portions. When you want to eat it, leave it to defrost in the fridge before adding the ricotta etc.

If you can find it, you can drizzle the soup with Saba, which is thick syrupy version of pungently sweet balsamic vinegar, and pass on making the reduction.