This distinctive cold Russian soup is quick to prepare, flavourful and nutritious. Okroshka is perfect for a summer lunch in the garden, and can also be taken on a picnic and assembled on the spot.

You will need;

4 eggs
300g new potatoes
4 spring onions (scallions)
Half a large cucumber, or even better, 4 small ones if you can get them
Pre-cooked slicing sausage (optional)
Handful fresh dill
Handful fresh parsley
Salt and black pepper

For the liquid
2-litre bottle of kvas*
4 tablespoons mayonnaise, or to taste

*Kvas is a traditional Russian drink, very slightly alcoholic, usually made from rye or fermented rye bread. It is available from specialist Russian or eastern European stores. If you can’t find it, you could substitute shandy, or dandelion and burdock in this quick soup recipe.

Preparation
Hardboil the eggs by placing them in a pan of cold water, bringing to a gentle boil and cooking for 10-12 minutes. Immediately drain off the water, fill the pan with cold water and leave the eggs, peeling them once they are quite cold. Meanwhile, boil the potatoes in their skins until soft, and leave them to cool. Top and tail the cucumbers and spring onions.

Once everything is cool, chop it all up, plus the sausage if you’re using it. Aim to make small, even-sized cubes of everything, about 1cm by 1cm. Rinse and chop the herbs and mix them in, reserving a few sprigs as a garnish if you want to be fancy. All the above can be done in advance and the results kept in the fridge in a large pot until needed. If you are going to the beach or countryside, transport the okroshka in this state, with the mayonnaise and kvas still in the bottle.

When you’re ready to serve, simply pour over enough cold kvas to make an acceptably ‘soupy’ consistency. Tastes vary, but for an authentic Russian soup, remember that these are usually thin, with the vegetables and meat suspended in the liquid, so don’t try to mash the potatoes up to thicken the soup. Season with the salt and pepper. You can either stir the mayonnaise into the pot, or leave people to add dollops of it to their serving. Garnish the okroshka with the sprigs of herbs, and enjoy!

Priyatnogo Appetita!