This is a summer soup my husband grew up on. He made it for me years ago and I’ve been hooked ever since. It’s meant to be eaten on really hot days. I know I’m way ahead of myself in that department, but I’m encouraged at the prospect of the thermometer going above 70 this weekend. Keeping fingers crossed!
With only 5 ingredients (sans water, salt & pepper), this soup is very simple to make (especially if you have a Vidalia Chop Wizard to dice the cucumber!). Technically, this is supposed to serve at least four but, since the two of us can polish this off in one sitting, we usually make a double batch.
Fresh dill is a “must” for this dish. I’ve tried dry dill but there is no comparison in the freshness the real stuff brings. And there is a lot of pepper. Yogurt and hot spices, like pepper or curry, actually have a cooling effect on the body in hot weather. I didn’t believe it until I tried it, but it really does work. And the walnuts add a satisfying crunch.
If you want to reduce the calories and fat, you can use a fat-free yogurt, but I think it really detracts from the silkiness and body provided by whole milk yogurt. And I would stay away from Greek yogurt because it’s too thick. This soup is like Goldilocks – not too thin, not too thick, but just right!
Ingredients
2 ½ cups finely diced cucumber (1 large)
1/3 chopped fresh dill
32 oz. container yogurt (I used Trader Joe’s European Style)
2 cups cold water
½ cup chopped walnuts
1 tbsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tbsp. freshly ground black pepper
Directions
1. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
2. Place in a covered container and let chill in fridge for 2 hours so flavors can blend.
3. Serve chilled with extra walnuts and chopped dill as garnish.
cheri says
Hi Amy, I am so taken by this dish, it is absolutely lovely, it looks so refreshing………..
Amy says
Refreshing is a great word to describe this! Thanks, Cheri.
cheri says
Hi Amy, What a fantastic soup, will be making this soon, I can see us eating this soup all summer long here in AZ. Hope your weather is nice. Happy week-end!
Amy says
Hot Arizona summers would be the perfect time to have this. Hope it helps you stay cool. Thanks, Cheri!