When it’s too hot to cook, you want simple things you can make. Things without a lot of ingredients but with lots and lots of flavor. Borscht, the dairy version, fits the bill. It’s plain, healthy, and can be served cold. It’s so easy to make it’s almost not a recipe.

If your mom opened a jar and added sour cream and a boiled potato, you can’t blame her. When it’s hot, we opt for convenience. But really, it’s so nothing to put it together yourself:

• Shred four peeled beets in the food processor and put them in a pot with half an onion, a quart of water, and 1 ½ teaspoons of salt.
• Bring to a boil, and simmer, covered, for about an hour. Beets should be very soft. Stir in 3 tablespoons of lemon juice and a tablespoon of sugar.

That’s IT! So easy, so good. Serve it hot or cold, with sour cream. Some people like to add a boiled potato to each serving.

Makes 4 servings.