Chilled Tropical Cucumber Cream Soup
Dive into a refreshing experience with this Chilled Tropical Cucumber Cream Soup, a delightful creation by Joyce Wells of the Cayman Islands. Perfect for warm weather gatherings, this luscious soup features the cooling essence of cucumbers combined with the subtle sweetness of onions, resulting in a light and invigorating starter. Enhanced with a touch of heavy cream and a splash of lemon juice, each spoonful offers a taste of the tropics. Ideal for luncheons or as a precursor to a more sumptuous meal, this soup can also be customized with a dash of green food coloring for a vibrant presentation, though this addition is purely optional. Serve chilled for the ultimate refreshment!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cucumbers
3 large (peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped)
Onion
1 medium (diced)
Water
1/2 cup (for boiling onions)
Chicken stock cubes
2 (add to boiling mixture)
Heavy cream or half-and-half
1/2 cup (for blending)
Fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons (for flavor)
Salt
to taste (seasoning)
Pepper
to taste (seasoning)
Chives
for garnish (optional) (snipped)
Instructions
1
Begin by coarsely chopping the peeled and seeded cucumbers.
2
In a medium pot, bring 1/2 cup of water to a boil and add the diced onion. Reduce heat to medium and let it simmer for about 10 minutes until the onion is tender.
3
Add the chicken stock cubes and the chopped cucumbers to the pot. Cover and continue to cook for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
4
Once cooked, carefully transfer the cucumber and onion mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender to puree until smooth and creamy. Aim for a rich, velvety texture.
5
Gently stir in the heavy cream (or half-and-half) and fresh lemon juice, combining well.
6
Transfer the soup to a container and chill for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator, though overnight is preferable for the best flavor.
7
Before serving, taste the chilled soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
8
Spoon the chilled soup into four pre-chilled bowls and garnish with freshly snipped chives, if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chilled Tropical Cucumber Cream Soup?
It is a refreshing, light, and invigorating chilled soup that combines the cooling essence of cucumbers with the sweetness of onions and a touch of heavy cream.
Who is the creator of this recipe?
The recipe was created by Joyce Wells of the Cayman Islands.
How many cucumbers are needed?
The recipe requires three large cucumbers.
How should the cucumbers be prepared?
The cucumbers should be peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped.
What type of onion is used in this soup?
One medium diced onion is used.
How much water is needed to boil the onions?
You need 1/2 cup of water to boil the onions.
How many chicken stock cubes are required?
The recipe calls for two chicken stock cubes.
Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream?
Yes, you can use either 1/2 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half.
How much lemon juice is added?
The recipe requires two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
What is the primary garnish for this soup?
The soup is garnished with freshly snipped chives.
Is the garnish mandatory?
No, the chive garnish is optional.
How long should the onion simmer?
The onion should simmer for about 10 minutes until tender.
How long do the cucumbers and stock cook?
They should cook for an additional 10 minutes after being added to the pot.
What equipment is needed to blend the soup?
You can use either a standard blender or an immersion blender to puree the soup.
What texture should the soup have?
The soup should have a rich, velvety, and smooth texture.
How long should the soup be chilled before serving?
It should be chilled for at least 2 hours, though overnight is recommended for the best flavor.
When should I season the soup with salt and pepper?
Seasoning should be adjusted to taste after the soup has been chilled and right before serving.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve four people.
Can I add food coloring to the soup?
Yes, you can add a dash of green food coloring for a more vibrant presentation, but it is optional.
Is this soup served hot or cold?
This soup is served chilled.
What kind of occasion is this soup suitable for?
It is perfect for warm weather gatherings, luncheons, or as a light appetizer.
Is the cucumber seeded?
Yes, the cucumbers must be seeded before they are chopped and cooked.
How is the onion cooked?
The onion is simmered in 1/2 cup of water until tender.
What is the role of the lemon juice?
The lemon juice adds a splash of brightness and tropical flavor to the cream base.
Should the serving bowls be prepared in a specific way?
Yes, it is suggested to serve the soup in pre-chilled bowls.
What are the main flavor notes?
The soup features a cooling cucumber essence with subtle sweetness from onions and richness from cream.
Is there any oil used in this recipe?
No, the vegetables are simmered in water and chicken stock rather than being sautéed in oil.
Is this recipe considered a tropical dish?
Yes, it is categorized as a tropical recipe originating from the Cayman Islands.
Can I use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock?
While the recipe calls for chicken stock cubes, you could substitute vegetable stock for a vegetarian version.
Is the soup heavy or light?
Despite the addition of cream, the soup is described as a light and invigorating starter.