Simmer

Buying beets with the greens attached—as required for this recipe—is a sure way to know they’re fresh. Beets are often cooked before they’re peeled or cut to keep nutrients intact. Here, the prep work is done first without sacrifice: The juices that result make up the nutritious broth and give the soup its deep flavor and color.

The stock must be refrigerated at least 6 hours; make it 1 day ahead.

You can also serve this soup cold or at room temperature. Puree it in batches to prevent overflow (particularly because you do so while it’s hot), if needed. You can stir in a small amount of water to thin the soup after pureeing it, if you like.

You can use the mushroom broth from this recipe in other soups and dishes as well; it is particularly good in risottos. For a heartier version, add cooked and drained soba or udon noodles, or serve brown rice on the side. This soup can be prepared through step 2 up to 3 days in advance; for best results, store the broth separately from all other items. Proceed with step 3 the day the soup will be served.

Steps 1 and 2 can be done up to 1 day ahead; refrigerate until ready to serve.

This soup must be served very cold, so for best results, prepare it a day ahead and let it chill overnight in the refrigerator.

Be sure to purchase firm or extra-firm tofu for this soup, as it will hold up better in hot liquid than softer varieties. Because the flavor and healthful qualities of miso are affected when boiled or with prolonged exposure to high temperatures, it should be added only at the end of cooking. Whisk it with a bit of liquid first so it is quickly and evenly distributed. We used white miso, which is lower in sodium, but you can use darker types for a stronger, more pronounced flavor.

Cilantro’s pungent fragrance partners well with fruity tomatillos in a lively pesto. The mixture offsets the spiciness of the cumin and jalapeño in this delectable soup.