Name: Beet Consommé
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 3 1/4 hr
Yield: Makes 8 servings
Ingredients: 3 lb medium beets without greens (8 medium; about 4 lb with greens), scrubbed well and trimmed, leaving 1 inch of stems attached; 4 qt water; 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 lb smoked turkey legs or wings; 2 carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces; 2 celery ribs, cut into 1/2-inch pieces; 1 large onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces; 1 garlic clove, smashed; 4 sprigs fresh dill plus 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill; 1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorns; 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice; 2 teaspoons sugar; Accompaniment: liver and mushroom pirozhki LINK; heavy-duty (sometimes labeled "fine") cheesecloth

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Beet ConsomméJohn Kernick

This is a more refined version of borscht, the Slavic classic. Often, borscht's underlying flavor comes from using ham or a beef broth, but here smoked turkey becomes the secret ingredient, imparting a smoky depth that's not too heavy.

Cooks' note:

Consommé, without diced beet and chopped dill, can be made 1 week ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then chilled, covered.

Recipe notes

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