Chilled Cucumber and Tomato Soup

We human beings can never make up our mind about the weather. We were back in British Columbia the past week, where people were complaining about the coolness of their summer. I personally love it cloudy and mild, so boy was it a shock for me when we returned to this heat wave.

After dealing with the sweltering heat, we returned to a garden brimming with produce. Our tomatoes and cucumbers were out and boy were the produce fairies visiting! I did not want to spend more time than I needed to in the kitchen and inspiration hit for this wonderfully soothing and cool soup. It was just perfect! Well balanced with the spices and nicely seasoned with fresh green chilies, yes also from the garden.

Cucumbers not surprisingly are a native of are Asia where they used extensively for their cooling properties. This recipe (other than some planning time to let the water drain from the cucumbers) literally takes 20 minutes to put together, I think I have created a new breakfast favorite.

Chilled Cucumber and Tomato Soup

Prep Time: 2 hours (mostly to drain and chill soup) 

Serves 4

Ingredients

6 green fresh cucumbers (mine were fairly small)

2 tomatoes

1 teaspoon salt

2 green chilies

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

3-4 scallions coarsely chopped

1 teaspoon black salt

1 teaspoon sugar

3/4 cup low fat yogurt

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro

Black pepper to garnish

Method of Preparation

1. Peel and coarsely chop the cucumbers and toamtoes. Place them in a colander with the salt.

2. Set aside for 30 minutes. Rinse the vegetables to avoid extra salt.

3. Place in a blender with the scallions, ginger, green chilies, scallions,black  salt and sugar.

4. Add in the yogurt and the milk and blend for about 10 minutes until very smooth.

5. Chill for about an hour, garnish with freshly ground pepper and serve.

I thought I would send this post out for WHB, a food event started by Kalyn at Kalyn’s Kitchen currently coordinated by Hallo and is being hosted this week at Almond Corner.