Fragrant Cucumber Yogurt Soup Recipes

CUCUMBER-YOGURT SOUP WITH FRESH DILL

Steps:

• Place the yogurt in a paper- towel-lined sieve and let drain over a bowl, in the refrigerator, several hours or overnight.
• Stir together the cucumbers, garlic, olive oil, dill and salt. Place the drained yogurt in a large bowl and gradually whisk in the water until very smooth. Stir in the cucumber mixture.
• Refrigerate the soup until very cold, at least 3 hours. If needed, thin with a little more water. Taste and add more salt, if necessary. Ladle into bowls and serve.

ABDOOGH KHIAR (CHILLED BUTTERMILK CUCUMBER SOUP)

Steps:

• If using dried rose, crumble a few petals coarsely for garnish and set aside. Place the rest on a cutting board and chop as finely as possible.
• Place the buttermilk, yogurt and 1 teaspoon salt in a blender and blend until frothy, about 30 seconds, or whisk together in a large bowl until smooth and frothy. If you used a blender, pour the mixture into a large bowl. Add the cucumbers, raisins, walnuts, dill, chives, dried mint and 1/4 teaspoon of the finely chopped rose petals. Stir well to combine and season to taste with more salt. Cover and refrigerate to chill and allow the flavors to come to life, at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
• Just before serving, toast the lavash or bread until crisp but not burned, and break into pieces. Stir the soup to mix. It should be the consistency of a thin, runny soup. If it's too thick, thin it out with water or more buttermilk, 1 tablespoon at a time. Keep in mind that you will be adding ice cubes, which will also thin out the soup as they melt. Divide the soup among serving bowls and add the ice cubes. Garnish the top as creatively as you like with crumbled dried rose petals, cucumber, dried mint, dill sprigs, raisins, walnuts and fresh mint leaves. Add the bread pieces right before serving or serve on the side.

BLENDER CUCUMBER YOGURT SOUP WITH CUMIN AND PAPRIKA

Steps:

• Blend all of the ingredients except the herbs until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Refrigerate for 1 hour or longer before serving.