My Favorite Cold Summer Soups

These soups are as much about their cool temperature as they are about their fresh taste. I love chilled soups made from various types of melon or from cucumber, because they are juicy and a quick way to start a meal. Let the soup sit in a bowl placed over an ice bath to further chill it before eating. Put your serving bowls in the refrigerator as well so that the soup stays cold even as you enjoy it!

Chilled Cucumber Soup
Serves 4-6

Tip: I keep a little skin of the cucumbers because it deepens the flavor and color of this soup.

4 "hothouse" cucumbers, washed, 2 of them peeled and all cut into thin rounds
3-4 cups ice water
Kosher salt
Freshly ground white pepper
1-2 teaspoons honey (optional)
2 small Kirby cucumbers, washed and cut into small wedges
The juice from 2 lemons

1.    Place half of the cucumber slices in the blender and add 1 cup of the water. Blend until smooth. Note, add more water if the blender has trouble pureeing the cucumber. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add a touch of honey, if needed.

2.    Blend the remaining cucumber in the same way. Transfer all of the soup to a bowl and put the bowl over ice. Taste for seasoning. When ready to serve, Season the Kirby cucumber wedges with salt and pepper and add some to each soup bowl for garnish. Flavor the soup with a squeeze of lemon juice and serve immediately.


Chilled Cantaloupe Soup
I have also made this soup using Honeydew and Galia melons to yield tasty results.
Serves 4-6

The flesh from 2 medium-sized cantaloupes (yielding 3 packed cups of cantaloupe flesh)
The juice from 3 lemons
Kosher salt
1 cup non-alcoholic apple cider
½ to 1 cup ice water
1-2 teaspoons honey (optional)
the juice from 3 lemons

1.    Place half of the cantaloupe pieces in the blender and add a squeeze of lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and 1/2 cup of the cider. Blend until smooth. Note, add some water if the blender has trouble pureeing the melon. Add a touch of honey, if needed.

2.    Blend the remaining melon in the same way. Transfer all of the soup to a bowl and put the bowl over ice. Taste for seasoning.