Red orache soup

Red chard soup – a healthy recipe full of flavor and color

Total time: 1 hour
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4-6

Red chard soup is a traditional dish often associated with spring, when vegetables are fresh and full of flavor. This soup is not only an excellent choice for fasting days but also a rich source of nutrients. Red chard, with its dark green leaves and delicate aroma, is a wonderful ingredient that adds freshness and a vibrant appearance to our dishes. But let's begin this culinary adventure!

Ingredients

- 5 bunches of red chard (approximately 300 g)
- 5 medium potatoes
- 2 large carrots
- ½ parsnip
- 4 slices of celery
- 400 g tomato and vegetable juice for soups
- 5 green onions
- 1 cup of frozen bell pepper (or fresh, if in season)
- 1 liter of borscht
- salt, to taste
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Necessary utensils

- Large pot for boiling
- Strainer
- Cutting board and knife
- Wooden spoon
- Small pot for borscht

Step-by-step preparation

1. Preparing the ingredients
Start by cleaning, washing, and chopping the vegetables. The onion, carrot, parsnip, and celery will be finely chopped, while the potatoes will be diced. Take your time to enjoy this process; each vegetable brings a unique story and flavor to your soup.

2. Blanching the chard
Put a small pot of water to boil. When the water reaches boiling point, add the cleaned and washed chard. Let it blanch for 3-4 minutes. This step will help remove the bitterness from the chard leaves while keeping their crunchy texture.

3. Draining the chard
After blanching, remove the chard to a strainer and rinse it quickly with cold water. This will stop the cooking process, thus preserving the vibrant color and nutrients.

4. Boiling the vegetables
In a large pot, add water with a pinch of salt and bring it to a boil. Once the water starts boiling, add the onion, carrot, parsnip, celery, and diced potatoes. Boil the vegetables for about 15 minutes or until they are three-quarters cooked.

5. Adding the chard
When the vegetables are almost done, add the chard cut into smaller pieces. This ingredient will give the soup a fresh taste and unmistakable aroma.

6. Preparing the borscht
While the vegetables are boiling, heat a cup of borscht in a small pot. Once the borscht is well heated, add it to the pot with the soup. This will bring a subtle acidity to the soup, balancing the flavors.

7. Finalizing the soup
Add the tomato juice and vegetable juice for soups, then pour in the olive oil. Let the soup boil for another 5-10 minutes for all the flavors to combine. Taste and adjust with salt as needed.

Useful tips

- Choose fresh ingredients: Red chard soup is a recipe that relies on fresh ingredients, so feel free to use seasonal vegetables.
- Variations of ingredients: You can also add other vegetables, such as zucchini or green beans, for extra flavor and texture.
- Serving: The soup is served hot, often with a splash of sour cream or fresh bread. Give it an attractive look by adding a few fresh chard leaves on top for decoration.

Nutritional benefits

Red chard soup is rich in vitamins (A, C, and K), minerals (iron and calcium), and antioxidants. It is low in calories and high in fiber, making it ideal for a balanced diet. A serving of soup contains approximately 150-200 calories, depending on the portions of vegetables and oil used.

Frequently asked questions

- What can I use instead of chard?
If you can't find chard, you can use spinach or nettles, although the flavor will be different.

- How long does the soup last in the fridge?
The soup keeps well in the fridge for 2-3 days, and the flavor will intensify as it cools.

- Can this soup be frozen?
It is recommended to avoid freezing, as the vegetables may become mushy after thawing. However, you can freeze the cooked chard separately.

Serving recommendations

To complement this red chard soup, we suggest serving it alongside a slice of homemade bread or even a fresh summer salad. A refreshing lemonade or herbal tea can add a note of freshness to your meal.

Enjoy every bite of this soup, which is not just a simple dish but a true explosion of flavors and colors, reminding you of the blooming spring. Bon appétit!