Chilled Cucumber Delight Soup
This refreshing Chilled Cucumber Delight Soup is a perfect escape from the summer heat, featuring the vibrant flavors of smooth-skinned cucumbers and the subtle sweetness of leeks. Inspired by the culinary creativity of Beth Elon, this recipe elevates the classic summer soup into a delightful dish that can star not only at your Friday night dinner but also at any summer gathering. Infused with tangy sour cream or yogurt, this soup is as pleasing to the palate as it is to the eyes, garnished with crisp cucumber slices and fresh chives. Enjoy a bowl of cool nourishment that will surely become a warm-weather staple in your home.
N/A
Servings
82
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Vegetable Broth
5 cups (Pour into pot)
Smooth-skinned Cucumbers
5 (Wash and chop four coarsely; set aside one for slicing)
Potato
1 (Peeled and coarsely chopped)
Leeks
2 (Coarsely chopped)
Shallot
1 (Chopped)
Garlic
4 cloves (Peeled and halved)
Sour Cream or Yogurt
1 cup (For serving)
Salt
To taste
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
To taste
Fresh Chives
For garnish (Chopped)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, bring the vegetable broth to a rolling boil over medium heat.
2
While the broth heats up, wash and coarsely chop four of the cucumbers, and set aside the fifth cucumber for garnish, slicing it thinly.
3
When the broth is boiling, add the chopped cucumbers, peeled and coarsely chopped potato, coarsely chopped leeks, chopped shallot, and halved garlic cloves to the pot.
4
Cook the mixture for about 45 minutes, or until all the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
5
Once the vegetables are tender, remove the pot from heat. Using an immersion blender (or transferring portions to a traditional blender), blend the soup until smooth and creamy.
6
Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
7
Allow the soup to cool to room temperature before transferring it to the refrigerator. Chill for several hours or until the soup is well chilled.
8
To serve, ladle the chilled soup into a soup tureen or individual bowls. Top with the reserved thin cucumber slices and sprinkle generously with chopped fresh chives.
9
Add a dollop of sour cream or yogurt on each serving, or serve it on the side for guests to add as they please.
Nutrition Information
13g
Carbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chilled Cucumber Delight Soup?
Chilled Cucumber Delight Soup is a refreshing summer soup made with smooth-skinned cucumbers, leeks, and a hint of potato for creaminess.
Is this soup served hot or cold?
This soup is served chilled, making it a perfect escape from the summer heat.
How many cucumbers are required for this recipe?
You will need a total of five cucumbers: four for the soup base and one reserved for garnish.
Do I need to peel the cucumbers?
The recipe suggests using smooth-skinned cucumbers that are washed and coarsely chopped; peeling is not explicitly required.
What type of cucumbers should I use?
Smooth-skinned cucumbers are recommended for their vibrant flavor and texture.
Can I use a traditional blender?
Yes, you can use either an immersion blender directly in the pot or transfer portions to a traditional blender until smooth.
How long does it take to cook the vegetables?
The vegetable mixture should be cooked for about 45 minutes or until all ingredients are tender.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it uses vegetable broth and fresh vegetables.
What are the main ingredients in this soup?
The main ingredients include vegetable broth, cucumbers, potato, leeks, shallot, garlic, and sour cream or yogurt.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 82 calories per serving of this soup.
Can I substitute yogurt for sour cream?
Yes, you can use either tangy sour cream or yogurt depending on your preference.
What herbs are used to garnish the soup?
The soup is garnished with chopped fresh chives.
Why is a potato included in the recipe?
The potato is peeled and chopped to add body and a creamy texture to the soup once it is blended.
How long should the soup be chilled?
The soup should be chilled for several hours in the refrigerator until it is well chilled.
Can I make this soup vegan?
To make it vegan, ensure your vegetable broth is vegan-certified and use a plant-based yogurt or omit the cream garnish.
How much vegetable broth is needed?
The recipe calls for 5 cups of vegetable broth.
How should I prepare the leeks?
The leeks should be coarsely chopped before being added to the boiling broth.
Is this cucumber soup healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy recipe with low calories and fresh vegetable ingredients.
Can I use fresh garlic?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and halved.
How do I serve this soup?
Ladle the chilled soup into bowls, top with thin cucumber slices, fresh chives, and a dollop of sour cream or yogurt.
Can I store leftovers of this soup?
Yes, it can be stored in the refrigerator, and it is meant to be eaten cold, making it great for leftovers.
What makes this soup refreshing?
The combination of fresh cucumbers, tangy cream, and its chilled serving temperature makes it very refreshing.
Is this a difficult recipe to make?
No, it is classified as an easy and quick recipe suitable for any home cook.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
There are 13g of carbohydrates in a serving of this soup.
Should I season the soup before chilling?
Yes, season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper after blending and before it is put in the refrigerator.
What if I don't have an immersion blender?
You can transfer the soup in batches to a standard blender to achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
Can I add other vegetables to the base?
While you can experiment, the recipe focus is on the cucumber and leek flavors inspired by Beth Elon.
Is the soup gluten-free?
The primary ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always check your vegetable broth label to be certain.
Who inspired this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by the culinary creativity of Beth Elon.
Is this soup appropriate for a dinner party?
Yes, it is a delightful dish that can star at a Friday night dinner or any summer gathering.