Okroshka (Russian Cold Buttermilk Soup)

5 from 1 vote

Okroshka (Russian Cold Buttermilk Soup)

This is an easy and refreshing cold soup full of crisp vegetables and cubed ham with a kefir and dill scented base. Kefir is a low-fat cultured buttermilk and so you can swap low-fat buttermilk for it in this recipe, or even full-fat if you prefer. I have swapped the traditional potato for rutabaga to keep this low carb. You can use all kefir or dilute it a bit with fresh or sparkling water for an extra effervescent dish that is refreshing and with a mineral edge.

Course Soup

Cuisine Russian

Keyword cucumber, dill, egg, egg-free, ham, kefir, nightshade-free, nut-free, russian, Rutabaga, soup

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 296kcal

Author Jenny Ross

Ingredients

1 large rutabaga or 2 medium, peeled and diced into 1/4 inch cubes
1 English cucumber diced into 1/4 inch cubes
4 radishes shaved thin (I like to use a mandolin but a sharp
1 1/2 pound ham cubed to 1/4 inch
6 hardboiled eggs diced to 1/4 inch
6 green onions sliced
1/4 cup fresh dill minced
3 cups kefir low-fat cultured buttermilk - you can also use full fat buttermilk or low-fat buttermilk if you prefer
1 1/2 cups sparkling water cold, or mineral water, cold
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the rutabaga - I like to do this in the microwave - about 6 -8 minutes on high in a microwave safe bowl, stirring about half way through does it. Otherwise, steam in a steamer basket set into a pot until tender when pierced by a fork. Transfer cooked rutabaga to a plate and spread out to allow it to cool faster. Refrigerate when cooled to room temperature.
Combine all ingredients except the kefir, water, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. I like to reserve some radish slices, dill fronds, and green onion for garnish.
Mix the kefir with the water and season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour over the vegetables in the bowl and divide among serving bowls. If you’re not consuming this all at once, reserve the yogurt base separately and pour over just before serving.

Notes

Protein:Energy Quotient [calories]: 1.08, Protein % of calories: 41.9%

Nutrition