Beetroot Soup

3 large or 5 medium-sized beetroot, boiled or roasted (preferred method)

2 Tbsp butter

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
3 medium-sized potatoes, chopped into chunks
6 rashers of bacon, fried, cooled and cut up roughly
salt and pepper to taste
2 to 3 C chicken or vegetable stock (or more to achieve the desired texture)
1/2 C light cream (optional)

To serve:

6 Tbsp sour cream or crème fraîche 

2 Tbsp chives, chopped

Option 1 (roasted beets)
Blended Soup
Preheat the oven to 350°.
Wash the beetroot, but don't peel them! Wrap them in foil, and roast them in the oven for about 1 1/2 hours until they are cooked and the skin begins to loosen up. When they're ready let them to cool in the foil packets for about 30 minutes, and then chop them roughly and set aside.
Melt the butter in a large Dutch over a medium-low heat. When it begins to foam, add the olive oil and add the chopped onion. Season and cook gently for about 10 minutes before adding the cooked bacon.
Add the chopped roasted beets, chopped potatoes and chicken stock, and cook for about 20 minutes until the potatoes are cooked through.
Blend the soup in batches so that it has a smooth, velvety texture. 
Reheat slowly, adding a little more stock if you like. Check the seasoning, and with the heat down low drizzle in some cream. 
Serve with a little dollop of sour cream and chopped chives.

Option 2 (boiled beets)
Chunky Soup
Chop the beets and boil them for about 30 minutes until cooked through. Remember to reserve the cooking water!
Melt the butter in a large Dutch over a medium-low heat. When it begins to foam, add the olive oil and add the chopped onion. Season and cook gently for about 10 minutes before adding the cooked bacon, chopped potatoes, boiled beets, and the water you cooked them in. Let the soup cook gently for about 30 minutes. 
Check the seasoning, and drizzle in a splash of cream if you like.
Serve with a little dollop of sour cream.

Both versions of this soup are super scrumptious. Beets are so sweet and have that lovely earthy flavor. Be sure to wear an apron though!

Cider Festival, Shelburne, Massachusetts

What a wonderful day for a cider festival, on a hillside in Shelburne. Everyone seemed to stop by to sample the different varieties, and to listen to the live music. It was a timeless kind of day.
The cider offered at the festival is made by West County Cider and Artifact Cider, so definitely check it out when you fancy trying some artisanal ciders.