Showing posts with label Cold Soup challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cold Soup challenge. Show all posts

9.04.2009

Napping with Strawberry Soup

When I was little my grandmother once served my strawberry soup. I don't remember when or where she made it for me, but I will never forget it's smooth creamy taste that was neither too sweet, nor tart. When it came time for my cold soup challenge with Cheryl Tan of A Tiger in the Kitchen I initially tried my avocado soup recipe, and it was a disaster. Then, I realized, instead of torturing myself trying to rework an imperfect recipe (which had once been perfect), why not have fun with an old favorite?! I quickly ditched the avocado idea and started over with strawberries.

Luckily, I am still able to find strawberries at the farmers market so I was pleased to use sun-ripened local organic fruit. Though, I know a container of Dricoll's would work just as well. I was thrilled when my recipe adaptation worked beautifully. This soup is subtly sweet with a cool creamy finish. In many ways in mimics a strawberry smoothie, but it is has a silkier finish and more refined flavor then what I usually make for a post-workout treat. I find this soup very refreshing to enjoy on these warm end-of-summer days and I hope you do, too. I should also mention that this soup is completely child-friendly, my daughter couldn't get enough of it.

Summertime Strawberry Soup

1 lb. fresh strawberries, washed and hulled

Juice of one lemon

2 t. sugar

1 c. plain Greek yogurt, well-stirred
Fresh mint for garnish

1. Wash and dry strawberries, hull the fruit.

2. Place all ingredients in a bowl and, using a hand immersion blender, process until smooth. Alternatively, you can use a food processor.

3. Pour into soup bowls and garnish with sprigs of fresh mint.

8.21.2009

Napping with Disaster Soup

This summer I've been having a great time working with my friend Cheryl at A Tiger in the Kitchen, and several other fantastic bloggers, writing Friday fun posts. The first post was our "BLT Lunch" where I shared my recipe for Prosciutto, Lettuce and Tomato with Balsamic Syrup. The next recipe was for our "Burger Friday" where I shared the amazing recipe for Uncle Will's Burgers. Today's post was supposed to be about cold soup. However, mine is not.

I will confess, I put my daughter down for her nap, followed the recipe for my avocado soup to a "t" and... it tasted like...nothing. It was easily the worst soup I've ever made and I have no idea why since I've made it many times before. So, I'm going to keep working on the recipe (more salt? more cream?) but, in the mean time, will leave you with another treat. This basic recipe for Cantaloupe with Avocado is one of my most favorite summer dishes and I hope you love it as much as I do. I'd also like to extend a special thank you to my friend Peggy W. who served this when she had us over for lunch at her country house (pictured above) earlier this month. Happy Friday!


Naptime's Cantaloupe with Avocado
1 medium size ripe cantaloupe
2 Haas Avocados

Dressing:
3 T. fresh lemon juice
3 T. good olive oil
Pinch of Kosher salt

1. Quarter cantaloupe and discard all seeds. Make hatch marks in the cantaloupe so that it can be easily plucked off with a fork.
2. Cut avocados into bite size chunks and pile evenly onto top of cantaloupe quarters.
3. Whisk together dressing in a bowl and immediately pour on top of avocado and cantaloupe. Serve.