It was crazy-hot in the Bay Area this weekend and my AC-less apartment was like a sauna. For pretty much everyone else in Canada and the USA this is totally normal, but for us in San Francisco we aren’t used to such extreme temperatures. At its peak, temperatures soared to 32C/91F and I retreated to the beach with my main squeeze and perhaps a watermelon beer or two.
So what to make for dinner? There was no freaking way I was going to use the oven or stove, even in the evening it would be too hot. I was also a tad dehydrated because we pulled a rookie move and left our big bottles of water on the couch. Brutal! By the time we left the beach all we could think about were tall glasses of ice water and jumping into a cold shower.
I TRY TO SNACK ON CUCUMBERS WHEN WORKING A RED EYE FLIGHT. THEY’RE JAM PACKED WITH B VITAMINS AND GOOD CARBS, WHICH HELP GIVE YOU THAT MUCH NEEDED 4 AM PICK ME UP!
This Chilled Cucumber Soup is jam packed with flavor
When we got home, we were both exhausted from the sun and from not drinking enough water. I found myself craving things like cucumbers, watermelon and celery; foods with a high water content. I listened to my body and decided to make a chilled cucumber soup for dinner. This recipe calls for Persian cucumbers but you could sub for a long English cucumber if they are more easily accessible.
Luckily I had all of the ingredients for this recipe at home, so that was half the battle. I was relieved I didn’t have to face the Trader Joe’s line at 530pm on a Sunday. I’m a self confessed Trader Joe’s-aholic. But that store at dinnertime, on a Sunday, is just utter madness!
This Chilled Cucumber Soup is totally a recipe you can feel great about eating! It’s high in protein, low in calories and incredibly hydrating and nourishing for your body. It’s also a great source of vitamin B-6 (important for healthy eyes, skin, liver and hair) and B-12 (used to treat a variety of illness’s such as sleep disorders, depression, memory loss and vitiligo).
I LIKE TO SERVE THIS WITH DICED DILL PICKLES FOR AN EXTRA ZING!
I see this as the perfect appetizer for entertaining in the summer. Chilled Cucumber Soup is light, refreshing and cleanses your palette. Try serving this restoring soup in a tea cup and let your guest sip it, if they choose. It’s so refreshing and I’m sure they will appreciate it after a hot day in the sun.
I love to serve this with finely diced dill pickles for an extra vinegary zing . I used a tablespoon of my Garlicky Dill Pickles and I really enjoyed the contrast in flavors.
Stay Cool! xx
- 4 Persian cucumbers, washed and diced (reserve ½ of one cucumber and do not put in the food processor)
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
- ⅓ cup fresh mint
- ¼ cup fresh dill, divided in two equal piles
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1 cup greek yogurt
- ¼ cold water
- ¼ olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
- Add cucumber (remember to reserve half of one cucumber), jalapeño, mint, half of your dill(1 pile), garlic, shallot, lemon juice, olive oil, cold water and greek yogurt into the food processor or blender and pulse until smooth.
- Transfer soup mixture into a large bowl and add the remaining finely diced cucumber and loosely torn dill leaves. This will add a nice texture a vibrant color to the soup.
- Add salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- Leave in the fridge for at least 3 hours to chill or overnight for best results.
- Garnish with a sprig of dill or finely chopped dill pickle for a zing!
- Drizzle with olive oil, optional
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