CREAM OF BEAT RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until they're tender-crisp. Add the potato and garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Drain the liquid from the beets and reserve 1 cup beet juice. Add the beets and broth to the saucepan and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 15 minutes more or until the potato is tender.
• Place 1/2 of the broth mixture into an electric blender or food processor container. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into a medium bowl. Repeat the blending process with the remaining broth mixture. Return all of the pureed mixture to the saucepan. Stir in the reserved beet juice, dill and black pepper. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is hot.
• Serve with sour cream.

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in medium sized stock pot, and sauté onion, garlic and celery until tender.
• Add broccoli and broth; cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Purée soup (I use a hand blender) or mash with potato masher.
• Return to heat.
• In small saucepan, over medium heat melt 3 tablespoons butter, stir in flour and add milk.
• Stir until thick and bubbly, add to soup.
• Add cheese; stir until melted.
• Season with pepper and serve.