Spiked Cucumber Soup Recipes

CUCUMBER SOUP

Steps:

• Purée cucumbers, avocado and lime juice in a food processor or blender. Transfer to a bowl. If you used a food processor, strain the mixture first. Stir in 1 cup cold water. Mixture should be pouring consistency. Season with salt.
• Transfer to a container or pitcher and refrigerate until ready to serve. Pour into small cups or shot glasses. Drizzle a few drops of avocado oil on top of each. Set cups or glasses on a tray to serve.

SPICY CUCUMBER SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onions and garlic, and cook until the onion is very soft, about 10 minutes. Stir in the cucumber, vegetable broth, and milk. Season with soy sauce, parsley, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, curry powder, and sesame oil. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 10 minutes more. Transfer the hot soup to a blender, and carefully puree until the soup is creamy yet slightly grainy.

SIMPLE CUCUMBER SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter with the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook and stir onion and garlic in the butter mixture until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add cucumber and zucchini slices; cook and stir until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour vegetable broth over the mixture; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and let simmer until the vegetables are cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and cool a few minutes.
• Pour soup into a blender no more than half full. Cover and hold lid in place with a towel; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend. Puree in batches until smooth.

COLD CUCUMBER SOUP WITH FRESH CORIANDER

Steps:

• Peel the cucumbers and chop them coarsely. Chop the scallions.
• Place the cucumbers, scallions and coriander leaves in a blender and process until finely pureed. You may need two shifts. The soup can also be prepared using a food processor but the texture will not be as fine.
• Transfer to a bowl and stir in the yogurt. Add the lime juice. Season with cumin, just a dash of salt and pepper to taste. Chill until ready to serve and stir before serving. Garnish each serving with a thin slice of cucumber topped with a sprig of coriander.

SPICY CUCUMBER-AVOCADO SOUP

Steps:

• Peel and pit avocado. Blend all ingredients in a blender until very smooth, about 1 minute.

WATERMELON TOMATO GAZPACHO WITH A COOL CUCUMBER SWIRL

Steps:

• For watermelon gazpacho, in a blender or food processor add coarsely chopped watermelon, 2 tomatoes, the bell pepper, the whites of green onions, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lime zest, the lime juice, mint, honey, and crushed red pepper. Cover and blend or process until nearly smooth. Transfer to a large bowl. Chill, covered, 2 to 4 hours. Rinse blender or food processor.
• For cucumber soup, finely chop 1/4 of the cucumber and coarsely chop remaining portion. Add coarsely chopped cucumber, garlic, parsley, green onion tops, and remaining lemon juice to blender or food processor. Cover and blend or process until nearly smooth. Transfer to large bowl. Stir in broth, sour cream, salt, and pepper. Chill, covered, 2 to 4 hours.
• For tomato topper, chop remaining tomato into 1/2-inch pieces and add to small bowl. Stir in reserved finely chopped watermelon, finely chopped cucumber, and remaining lime zest. Chill, covered, until ready to serve.
• To serve, ladle about 1 cup watermelon gazpacho into each bowl. Top each serving with about 1/2 cup cucumber soup and swirl slightly. Top with tomato topper and , if you like, additional black pepper and mint.