MAE MAE'S BEETROOT BORSCHT
by Great Performances
We’ve got a soft spot for beets at Great Performances. We grow them at Katchkie Farm, our organic farm in upstate New York, and often featured them on the menu at our own Mae Mae Cafe. From our signature beet chips to our fan favorite beet burger, we celebrate the beet. Here we’re sharing a delicious beetroot borscht – that we served throughout the colder months at Mae Mae and especially around Valentine’s Day.
INGREDIENTS
PROCEDURE
- 1 lb raw beets, peeled and chopped
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 celery stick, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 L vegetable stock + additional water if required
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 lemon, juice only
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Sour cream, horseradish and dill to serve
- Gently fry the finely chopped onion, garlic, celery and garlic in the grapeseed oil over a very low heat until soft and aromatic.
- Add the chopped beets. Cover with stock and add extra water if required until you have 4cm above the level of the beetroot.
- Add a bay leaf and leave to simmer with a lid semi-covering until the beetroot is soft, around 45 minutes.
- Puree the soup then allow to simmer for another 10-15 minutes to thicken and concentrate the flavors. Season with fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper before serving. Top with horseradish, sour cream and fresh dill.
More Recipes

Setting Sail with New York Flavor at SailGP 2026
On a picture-perfect weekend on Governors Island, SailGP returned to New York Harbor, bringing world-class racing, breathtaking skyline views, and thousands of spectators eager to

Science Meets Stems: A Floral Design Workshop at Rockefeller University
Flowers for Spring? Groundbreaking. I recently led a Floral Design Workshop with the students at Rockefeller University in partnership with the Office of University Life

Exciting Events Around Town – June 2026
Apollo Theater | Caramoor | Jazz at Lincoln Center | The New York Historical | Wave Hill Jump to Bronx Events Apollo Stages at the

June 2026 Food Festival: Higos con Queso
Jump to Recipe Each month, our Food Festival series celebrates a single ingredient or dish through a chef-driven recipe, practical tips, and serving inspiration rooted

Daniela Navarrete on Higos con Queso and a Taste of Ecuador
A Taste of Ecuador, Reimagined For Chef Daniela Navarrete, food is more than nourishment—it’s a connection to family, culture, and home. This month, she shares

Sustainability on the Menu at Wave Hill
Nature, community, art, and culture come together at Wave Hill, a public garden in the Bronx and easily one of our favorite spaces to connect

What’s In Your Fridge? A Look Inside Niki Russ Federman’s Kitchen
At any given moment, a refrigerator holds more than just ingredients; it tells a story. What we keep on hand, what we reach for late

5 Ways to Use Your CSA Box This Month
CSA season is almost here, and at Katchkie Farm—the same place our students harvest vegetables, explore ingredients, and cook together in The Sylvia Center’s Learning