Chilled Cucumber Garlic Soup (Print Version)

A chilled blend of cucumber, tangy yogurt, garlic, and fresh herbs for a cool summer dish.

# Components:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and chopped
02 - 2 scallions, chopped
03 - 1 small clove garlic, minced

→ Dairy

04 - 2 cups plain Greek yogurt

→ Herbs & Seasonings

05 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped (optional)
07 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
08 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

11 - Sliced cucumber, extra dill, and a drizzle of olive oil

# Directions:

01 - In a blender or food processor, combine the chopped cucumbers, scallions, garlic, Greek yogurt, dill, mint if using, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
02 - Blend the mixture until it reaches a smooth and creamy consistency.
03 - Taste the mixture and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
04 - Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until thoroughly chilled.
05 - Stir the soup before serving. Ladle into bowls and garnish with sliced cucumber, additional fresh dill, and a drizzle of olive oil.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes less time to make than it does to complain about the heat.
  • The garlic hides in the background, just enough to make you wonder what that flavor is.
  • It tastes like summer without turning on the stove.
  • Leftovers get even better overnight as the flavors settle into each other.
02 -
  • If you skip seeding the cucumbers, the soup will be thin and taste like wet grass.
  • Blending it too long makes it foamy and weird, just go until smooth and stop.
  • Cold soup needs more salt than hot soup, so taste it again after chilling.
03 -
  • Chill your serving bowls in the freezer for ten minutes before ladling, it keeps the soup cold longer.
  • Use the sweetest cucumbers you can find, the watery bitter ones ruin everything.
  • A tiny pinch of cayenne pepper on top right before serving adds just enough heat to make people curious.
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