Chilled Avocado Soup From The Ivory Coast Recipes

CHILLED AVOCADO SOUP WITH SHRIMP

Steps:

• Thinly slice 1/2 lemon and put in a medium saucepan with 4 cups water, the garlic, bay leaf and a big pinch each of salt and pepper. Grate ½ teaspoon lemon zest and juice the remaining 1 1/2 lemons; set aside.
• Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat. Add the shrimp and poach until just cooked through, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon; reserve the saucepan and poaching liquid. Refrigerate the shrimp until chilled, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, combine the peas, parsley and 1/2 cup pea shoots in a blender (preferably a high-speed blender). Add the garlic from the poaching liquid plus 1 1/4 cups poaching liquid. Carefully blend until smooth. Add 1 cup ice cubes, then add the avocados, scallions, tarragon, the reserved lemon zest and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Blend until very smooth, thinning with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate at least 20 minutes or up to 1 hour.
• Stir the soup and thin with cold water, if needed. Add more lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Divide the soup among shallow bowls.
• Toss the chilled shrimp with 1 teaspoon each lemon juice and avocado oil and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Put in the middle of the soup and top with the remaining 1/4 cup pea shoots. Drizzle with the remaining 2 teaspoons avocado oil.

CHILLED AVOCADO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, chile and the garlic and cook until slightly soft, about 2 minutes.
• Season with salt, to taste. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
• Put the avocados in a large bowl. Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, cilantro, onion mixture, and water. Add, in batches, to a blender and puree until smooth, straining each batch of puree into a large bowl. Stir in the 1 teaspoon of salt and the 1 teaspoon of pepper, then cover and refrigerate until well chilled, about 3 hours.
• Pour the chilled soup into individual bowls. Top each serving with a drizzle of the sour cream. Serve with crostini or croutons, if desired.

CHILLED AVOCADO SOUP

Steps:

• Halve and pit two avocados. With a spoon, scoop out flesh and transfer to a blender. Add buttermilk, walnuts, dill, red onion, vinegar, salt, and 1 cup water and puree until smooth.
• Cover the blender and refrigerate until the soup is well chilled, at least one hour. Halve and pit remaining avocado. Cut into four sections lengthwise, and then cut crosswise into 1/2-inch chunks. Divide soup among four bowls and garnish each with diced avocado and dill, if desired.