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Cool as a Cucumber Soup

Here’s an exceptionally easy, no-cook soup. This evolved from the classic recipe for Middle Eastern cucumber soup, which is made with a base of yogurt. However, I don’t think it tastes right with soy yogurt, so I tinkered with it until it approximated the original flavor, without the yogurt. I enjoy it with barley added, as suggested in the variation below.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

2 large cucumbers, peeled and seeded
1 recipe Vegan Sour Cream (page 7)
1/2 cup finely chopped mixed fresh herbs (such as dill, parsley, and mint), or more to taste
1 to 2 scallions, green parts only, thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups rice milk, or as needed
Juice of 1/2 lemon, or more to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, or more to taste
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Grate the cucumbers on a coarse grater, either by hand or in a food processor fitted with the grating disk.

    Step 2

    Transfer the cucumbers to a serving container. Stir in the sour cream, herbs, scallions, and enough rice milk to give the soup a slightly thick consistency. Season with lemon juice, cumin, salt, and pepper. Serve at once or refrigerate until well chilled.

  2. Variations

    Step 3

    For a heartier version of this soup, add a cup or so of cold, cooked barley.

    Step 4

    For a pleasantly peppery flavor, stir in a good handful of chopped watercress leaves.

  3. Nutrition Information

    Step 5

    Per serving:

    Step 6

    Calories: 88

    Step 7

    Total fat: 2g

    Step 8

    Protein: 5g

    Step 9

    Fiber: 1g

    Step 10

    Carbohydrate: 14g

    Step 11

    Cholesterol: 0mg

    Step 12

    Sodium: 166mg

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